36 Affordable Classic: Dodge Power Wagon
COLUMNS
20 Shifting Gears
With five collector-car auction companies strutting their
stuff in one week, if you're looking for something new to put
in your garage, chances are you will find it on the Monterey
Peninsula
Keith Martin
36 Affordable Classic: 1946–1968 Dodge WDX /
WM-300 Power Wagon
What seems mind-boggling today is that even when Dodge
started using its all-new B Series cab in 1948, they kept using
the circa-1940 cab for Power Wagons—all the way into 1968
B. Mitchell Carlson
38 Legal Files
The collector car world is about to get a new player—
specialized funds that will invest solely or primarily in
high-quality cars. This past winter, plans for two such funds
were launched In Europe
Martin Emmison
56 Sheehan Speaks
It pays to check a Fiat- or Montezemolo-era Ferrari for
mismatched VIN codes—before a routine police stop
ends up resulting in a vehicle seizure, which is a sure way
to ruin your day
Michael Sheehan
162 eWatch
A live—and online—auction of more than 500 lots of vintage
car-related advertising, including signs, clocks and displays
brings high prices for rarely seen pieces
Carl Bomstead
FEATURES
42 2011 Saratoga Springs Invitational: Showing signs of
becoming a national event—after just three years
44 Villa d'Este: Sublime European Cars along the Lago di
Como—and an RM Auction to take it to another level
46 Insider's View: Jaguar E-type owners share tales of love and
heartbreak as the alluring, frustrating car hits its 50th birthday
52 Murray Smith—From the Paddock: A Bluebird day at
Daytona—and Andy Green's mission to drive a Bloodhound
1,000 mph on a South African desert
64 Miles Collier—Collecting Thoughts: RM's sale of Bertone
concept cars sparks questions that go beyond sale prices to
the preservation of automotive history
DEPARTMENTS
22 Crossing the Block / Auction Calendar
24 The Inside Line: SCM Monterey Insider's Seminar
26 Contributors: Get to know our writers
28 You Write, We Read: Indy Roadsters and a note from the
E-type buyer
30 Display Advertisers Index
32 Time Pieces: Elgin Direct Reading Watch
32 Neat Stuff: The Wheelsurf Monocycle, ArrowTrack GPS
34 In Miniature: 1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider—sort of
34 Book Review: Car: The Definitive Visual History of the
Automobile
140 Fresh Meat: 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera, 2011 Jaguar XJ SS,
2011 BMW 750Li X-Drive
152 Mystery Photo: “Unquestionably the highest and best use
for the X1/9”
SCM
Digital Bonus
Additional Seat Time contributions, videos and
images are available in this issue's Digital
Edition, included with every print subscription. To
sign up for your Digital Issue, go to www.sportscarmarket.com/digital
or call 503.261.0555 ext. 1
152 Comments with Your Renewal: “Love the magazine.
How come we never see Lotus described or discussed? I like
the eBay automobilia page but the writer focuses too much
on signs”
153 SCM Weekly Poll Results: What is the best investment for
a British roadster?
154 Showcase Gallery: Cars for sale
158 Resource Directory: Meet your car's needs

Page 18

Shifting Gears Keith Martin
Compelled to Collect
It's a key part of SCM's schedule, a chance to meet
subscribers and learn what they are thinking about the
market, and an opportunity to experience the eddies and
currents of the collector car world first-hand.
With five collector-car auction companies strutting
their stuff in one week, if you're looking for something
new to put in your garage, chances are you will find it
on the peninsula.
Will you pay too much for it?
Of course.
But
it's all
relative. What Monterey (and every
significant auction) does is save you hundreds—if not
thousands—of hours by bringing the merchandise to
you. Auction catalogs are lavishly produced and provide
a good starting point for your personal investigation of
a car. Marque experts abound. Are you trying to learn
more about a specific Isotta that is being offered? Don't
be surprised if the fellow you need to talk to is staying
in the same hotel.
Into Your Garage
I was speaking with Martin Swig during the recent
Rick Cole was the only game in town
W
ith Monterey just around the corner, collectors' thoughts
have shifted from the restore-and-refurbish activities of
winter to the buying and selling of summer. While car
transactions happen year round, there's no doubt they at-
tract more attention in the warm months—and the most attention of all
in August.
For me, there was a time, more than 30 years ago, when Monterey
in August meant getting together with a group of Oregon-based Alfa
fanatics, and caravanning the 700 miles to the Monterey Peninsula.
Our cars failed to perform with predictable regularity; the spectacle
of an Alfa (or Alfas) alongside the road, hood up, with tools and parts
strewn about was commonplace.
Hotel rooms were always the cheapest possible, and King's Buffet
was our breakfast, lunch and dinner establishment of choice. We'd park
in the Alfa corral at Laguna Seca and marvel at the bright red Ferraris
parked in neat rows—Daytonas, Dinos and 365 GT 2+2s were commonplace
and used as daily drivers.
There was only one auction, Rick Cole's Monterey Sports Car
Auction, and we watched through the chain link fence as impossibly
rich people bought impossibly expensive cars. It didn't occur to any of
us to go to Pebble, as it was expensive, and besides, who wanted to look
at cars from the '20s and '30s?
So, on Sunday morning, we generally piled back into our cars and
headed north for a very long, one-day haul to Portland. It was especially
long if your 1300-cc motor had a distributor with a frozen advance—or
the old spark plugs you had already re-gapped ten times were starting
to go out of spec again. And we won't even discuss the tranny that had
to be held in 5th because of a substandard home-boy rebuild by yours
truly. I recall running a bungee cord from under the dash of my Giulia
Spider and hooking it around the shift lever so the car would stay in
gear.
Jet Forward
We've all changed with the times. Someone else rebuilds my trans-
missions now, and I have new spark plugs installed before a road trip.
But Monterey is no longer just a gearhead's fantasy weekend for me.
20
California Mille, and he mused that when he was a
dealer, buying and selling cars was always about grinding
the seller to get the absolute best price, and puffing
the buyer to get them to part with as much money as possible.
“I'm not buying cars to make money now—I'm buying what I want,
for myself,” Swig said. “So what if I pay a little too much for a car I
really want? In the end it's just not going to make any difference, and
I've got the car.”
I agree.
If the SCM Price Guide says that $110k is the top price for a very
nice 1970 Maserati Ghibli SS coupe, but if there is a very nice one
crossing the block, in the burgundy with tan color combination that
is perfect for you, will it really matter five years from now if you pay
$130k for it?
Do you really want to own one, or just tell stories about being one
bid short. Having the Ghibli, or XK 120, or SWB 911S that you have
always wanted in your garage—a week after the Monterey auctions—
sounds good doesn't it?
As a bonus, when you buy a car that you have been dreaming about,
all of the events, rallies and tours that are connected to the marque open
up to you. You will meet an entirely new group of people who share
your fascination with the same kind of car.
The various things you need to do to prepare for Monterey have
been written about many times, including in the supplement enclosed
with this issue. What they boil down to is deciding how much you can
comfortably afford to spend, doing your homework, and then making
the decision to pull the trigger.
I've bought and sold a lot of cars over the years, and some deals have
been brilliant and some pathetic. But the memories of all the deals—
and all the people and cars associated with them—enrich my life. Just
as they do yours, I'm sure.
Most important, find something new and special to put into your
garage this August in Monterey—the car you've always wanted. Isn't
it about time?
SCM will have booths everywhere in Monterey, and we encourage
you to stop by. Swap stories with the SCM staff while you renew and
collect your snazzy SCM cap and your high-tech metallic red SCM
water bottle. I'll be the emcee of Concorso Italiano for the 13th year, so
come by the stage and say hello. On to Monterey! ♦
Sports Car Market

Page 20

Crossing the Block Tony Piff
For more information about events listed below, see our exclusive 100-page Insider's Guide Supplement, polybagged with this issue.
Bonhams & Butterfields—Exceptional
Motorcars and Automobilia at Quail
Lodge
Where: Carmel, CA
When: August 18-19
More: www.bonhams.com
Last year: 79/102 cars sold / $18m
Collectible motorcycles have
been added to Bonhams' 14th
Monterey sale. 50 premium bikes
will cross the block on Friday,
lead by an extremely rare 1954
AJS E95 “Porcupine,” so named
for its cylinder head cooling
fins. Just four of the historically
significant racers are said to have
been produced, and this one is
expected to sell above $750k.
Headlining the automobiles
is the 1979 BMW M1 Pro Car
painted by Frank Stella for
seven-time IMSA world champ
Peter Gregg, estimated at $450k$600k.
Mecum Auctions—Mecum at Monterey
Where: Monterey, CA
When: August 18-20
More: www.mecum.com
Last year: 199/420 cars sold /
$14.4m
More than 400 cars crossed
the block at Mecum's 2010
Monterey sale, making them
the week's volume leader. The
featured early consignments
for 2011 include three low-mile
Italian exotics, recently discovered
in a Dallas warehouse: a
1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS, with
just 2,910 miles, a 1977 Maserati
Bora coupe with just 978 miles,
and a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4
Daytona with just 9,752 miles.
Also offered will be a restored
1960 Maserati 61/60 “Birdcage,”
raced at Sebring in 1960, and
a 1954 Maserati A6 GCS Tipo
MM.
Russo and Steele—Sports & Muscle at
the Marriott
Where: Monterey, CA
When: August 18-20
More: www.russoandsteele.com
Last year: 101/251 cars sold / $8m
More than 250 cars are
expected at Russo and Steele's
11th annual sale, held in historic
downtown Monterey. The list
of star cars includes blue-chip
collectibles from across the
collectible spectrum: a 1972
Porsche 911 IMSA RSR vintage
race car, campaigned from 1979
to 1990, race-sorted, and offered
at no reserve; the 1970 Chevrolet
Chevelle LS6 “Pilot Car,” the
first LS6 Chevelle produced,
numbers-matching and 1 mile
since concours restoration; a
1967 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 coupe,
with full recent service; and
a 1935 Lincoln Model K V12
Phaeton, custom built for and
extensively used by President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
RM Auctions—Sports & Classics of
Monterey
Where: Monterey, CA
When: August 19-20
More: www.rmauctions.com
Last year: 209/224 cars sold /
$66.8m
Last year, RM's $67m was
the highest sales total achieved
by any auction at Monterey car
week, and no fewer than twenty
Auction Calendar
All dates listed are current at time of publication. Contact information for most
auction companies may be found in the Resource Directory at the back of this
issue. Please confirm dates and locations before attending any event.
Email auction info to: chad.tyson@sportscarmarket.com.
JULY
1—BONHAMS
Sussex, UK
2-3—SILVER
Jackson, WY
9—DAN KRUSE
CLASSICS
San Jose, CA
9—PETERSEN
Roseburg, OR
9—SILVER
Spokane, WA
9—VANDERBRINK
St. Brewster, MN
22
10—SHANNONS
Melbourne, AUS
13—BRIGHTWELLS
Herefordshire, UK
15-16—MECUM
Des Moines, IA
16—COYS
Oxfordshire, UK
16—VANDERBRINK
North Bend, NE
20—H&H
Buxton, UK
23—CHEFFINS
Cambridge, UK
23—SILVERSTONE
Northamptonshire, UK
24—SHANNONS
Sydney, AUS
25-26—BARONS
Surrey, UK
30—RM
Plymouth, MI
30—VANDERBRINK
Elizabeth, IL
AUGUST
5-6—MECUM
Walworth, WI
6—VANDERBRINK
St. Croix Falls, WI
6-7—SPECIALTY AUTO
South Lake Tahoe, NV
11-14—SPECIALTY
AUTO
Reno, NV
13—COYS
Nurburgring, DEU
13—VICARI
Hiawassee, GA
18-19—BONHAMS &
BUTTERFIELDS
Carmel, CA
18-20—MECUM
Monterey, CA
19-20—RM
Monterey, CA
18-20—RUSSO AND
STEELE
Monterey, CA
19-20—VANDERBRINK
Corsica, SD
20—CHEFFINS
Harrogate, UK
20-21—GOODING
& CO
Pebble Beach, CA
25-28—SILVER
Carson City, NV
27—LANKES
Valkenburg, NL
SEPTEMBER
1-4—AUCTIONS
AMERICA BY RM
Auburn, IN
2-4—WORLDWIDE
Auburn, IN
3-4—SILVER
Sun Valley, ID
10—BONHAMS
Beaulieu, UK
14—H&H
Buxton, UK
15-18—MECUM
St. Charles, IL
16—BONHAMS
Sussex, UK
17—CLASSIC
MOTORCAR
Canton, OH
18—BONHAMS &
BUTTERFIELDS
Fairfield, CT
Sports Car Market
19-20—BARONS
Surrey, UK
21—BRIGHTWELLS
Herefordshire, UK
22-24—BARRETTJACKSON
Las Vegas, NV
23-25—MECUM
Geneva Lake, WI
24—SILVER
Portland, OR
29-OCT 1—AUCTIONS
AMERICA BY RM
Carlisle, PA
McQueen's 911S at RM's Sports & Classics of Monterey
cars are expected to break $1m
this year. Highlights include the
1970 Porsche 911S driven by
Steve McQueen in the classic
racing film “Le Mans;” a 1960
Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta
Competizione; a 1955 Ferrari
750 Monza Scaglietti Spider
featured in the film “On the
Beach,” starring Gregory Peck,
Ava Gardner, and Fred Astaire;
and a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K
Special Roadster, thought to be
one of only three configured with
left-hand drive, high door, long
tail, and covered spare.
MidAmerica—Vintage Motorcycle
Auction & MarketPlace at Pebble
Beach RetroAuto
Where: Pebble Beach, CA
When: August 19-21
More: www.midamericaauctions.
com
Last year: 37/93 motorcycles sold
/ $869k
MidAmerica estimates 100
premium bikes at this third annual
sale. The headliner is a 1894
Sylvester Roper steam-powered
motorcycle, considered the first
motorcycle by some, and said to
be one of two ever built. (The
other is in the Smithsonian.)
Other highlights include a 1932
Triumph Model CD, a 1939
Triumph Tiger, a 1954 BSA
BB32 Gold Star competition
model, a 1977 Ducati 1100SS
NR “Joey Walsh,” a 1920
Harley-Davidson Sport, a 1938
Indian Sport Scout, a 1979 MV
Agusta Magni Superlight, a
1951 Vincent Comet, and a 1966
Norton Atlas.
Gooding & Company—The Pebble
Beach Auctions
Where: Pebble Beach, CA
When: August 20-21
More: www.goodingco.com
Last year: 105/137 cars sold /
$64.5m
Featured multi-million-dollar
lots at this year's event include a
1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica
Pinin Farina Series II, unrestored
and a first-place preservationclass
winner at Pebble and
Cavallino; a 1953 Ferrari 375
coupe, with coachwork by
Vignale; and a 1931 Duesenberg
LWB Model J known as the
“Whittell Coupe,” extravagantly
coachbuilt for Captain George
Whittell Jr. and expected to
set a new record price for a
Duesenberg sold at auction. ♦

Page 22

Inside Line Chester Allen Send news and event listings to insideline@sportscarmarket.com.
Event
Calendar
6-7—Schloss-Dyck Classic Days (DEU)
www.schloss-dyck-classic-days.de
6-14—Hot August Nights (NV)
www.hotaugustnights.net
8-17—Pebble Beach Motoring
Classic (CA)
www.pebblebeachconcours.net
12—All Triumph Drive-In (OR)
www.portlandtriumph.org
15-17—The Quail Rally (CA)
www.quaillodgeevents.com
16-17 Automobilia Monterey (CA)
www.automobiliamonterey.com
Donald Osborne and SCMers at the Monterey Insider's Seminar
SCM News
■ Where Are the Best
Buys Today? Find out at the
10th Annual SCM Monterey
Insider's Seminar. The SCM
panel of experts will make
recommendations in four price
ranges: $100k and under, $100k
to $750k, $750k to $2m and $2m
and up.
The seminar will be held
Saturday, August 20 from
9 am to 11 am at the Gooding
& Company Auction Pavilion
at Pebble Beach. Moderated by
publisher Martin, the seminar
panelists include John Apen
(Ferrari), Carl Bomstead
(American Sports and Muscle),
Donald Osborne (European
Sports and Racing—except
Ferraris) and Steve Serio
(late-model European Sports).
Panelists will also offer a
detailed examination of select
cars that will be offered at the
auction.
Sponsors include Gooding
& Company, Chubb Personal
Insurance, Intercity Lines and
Meguiar's. Space is limited,
so register today. Admission
is complimentary for SCM
Platinum members, $25 for
subscribers and $50 for nonsubscribers.
For the latest details,
visit www.sportscarmarket.com/
monterey2011 (CA)
Events
What better way to get
to Monterey than a two-day
drive on great back roads from
Pasadena—and then arrive
24
just in time for Car Week festivities?
SCMer Martin Swig of
California Mille fame is putting
together just such a trip—the
Art Center Monterey Tour—on
August 14-15, and it's also a
benefit for Pasadena-based The
Art Center College of Design,
which trains many world-class
car designers. The event is open
to cars of any year that have
design merit. Cost of the tour is
$200—meals and one night at
the historic Paso Robles Inn are
not included—plus a $1,000 donation
to the Art Center College
of Design. www.californiamille.
com (CA)
■ The Hillsborough
Concours d'Elegance on August
28 is just a week after the Pebble
Beach Concours d'Elegance and
the whole magnificent jumble of
Monterey Car Week, so if you've
got car withdrawl and you're in
the San Francisco Bay Area, why
not pay a visit?
This is the 55th year of
the Hillsborough event, and
wonderful cars will park on the
fairways of the Crystal Springs
Golf Course from 10 am to 4 pm.
A Tour d'Elegance is scheduled
for Saturday, August 27. www.
hillsboroughconcours.org (CA)
■ The Columbia River
Concours d'Elegance and
Car Show will kick off the
always-busy world of August
car events on August 6-7 at
Officer's Row National Historic
District in Vancouver, WA—just
across the Columbia River from
SCM World Headquarters in
Portland, OR. The Columbia
River Concours Tour, limited
to 30 cars registered for the
Sunday concours will leave from
the Pearson Air Museum on
Saturday, August 6 and tour the
rural roads of Clark County, WA.
Concours Sunday is from 9:30
am to 4 pm.
Adult admission is $10, and
children younger than 12 attend
for free. www.columbiariverconcours.com
(WA)
■ Hot August Nights has
always been a massive event, but
the extravaganza of thousands
of hot rods, muscle cars, street
rods and classic cruisers starts
this year with an extra three
days in South Lake Tahoe from
August 6-9. Hot August Nights
then migrates to the familiar
digs and streets of Reno from
August 9-14. Event organizers
claim that more than 800,000
gearheads and thousands of cars
will once again be part of one of
the biggest parties of the year.
Expect traditional car shows, car
cruises, swapmeets and music
everywhere.
This year is the 25th
Anniversary of this celebration
of American Iron and music, and
it's probably a good idea to make
your hotel reservations right
now. Most events are free, but
the famous Reno casinos remain
pay-to-play. www.hotaugustnights.net
(NV)
16—Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours on
the Avenue (CA)
www.motorclubevents.com
18—Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance (CA)
www.pebblebeachconcours.net
18-21—Rolex Monterey Motorsports
Reunion (CA)
www.mazdaraceway.com
19—Concorso Italiano (CA)
www.concorso.com
19—Pacific Grove Auto Rally (CA)
www.pgautorally.org
19—The Quail, A Motorsports
Gathering (CA)
www.quaillodgeevents.com
19-21—Pebble Beach RetroAuto (CA)
www.pebblebeachconcours.net
20—10th Annual SCM Insider's
Seminar (CA)
www.sportscarmarket.com/monterey2011
21—Automobilie Fine Arts Society
Exhibition (CA)
www.autoartgallery.com
21—Pebble Beach Concours
d'Elegance (CA)
www.pebblebeachconcours.net
26-28—Corvettes at Carlisle (PA)
www.carlisleeventscom
27—Morgan Adams Concours
d'Elegance (CO)
www.morganadamsconcours.org
27-28—Milwaukee Masterpiece
Concours (WI)
www.milwaukeemasterpiece.com
28—Geneva Concours (IL)
www.genevaconcours.net
28—San Juan Concours (WA)
www.sanjuanconcours.org
Sports Car Market

Page 23

■ The town of Geneva, IL,
may just be one of the most
charming places in the Midwest,
and the Geneva Concours
d'Elegance on August 28 is a
great reason to visit this spot
near Chicago, IL. This year's
concours will feature Lincoln
and Brass Era Fords, but many
other wonderful cars will line
downtown's Third Street from
10 am to 4 pm. This event is free
to all. www.genevaconcours.
net (IL)
■ Panteras—those wonderful
mixes of Ford engines and Italian
styling—have been snarling
around the planet for 40 years
now, and Concorso Italiano
will celebrate that happy event
on August 19 from 9 am to 5 pm
at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch in
Monterey. Concorso Italiano will
also celebrate original Italian
sports cars, the 45th Anniversary
of the Maserati Ghibli and a
massive Ferrari F50 reunion. All
this—and the food, fashion show
and beautiful surroundings—
make this a must-do during
Monterey Car Week.
SCM Publisher Keith Martin
returns for a lucky 13th year as
emcee. Our sister magazine,
Corvette Market, is sponsoring
the Third Annual Corvettes
at Concorso Corral along with
Barrett-Jackson. CM's own
Michael Pierce will preside over
a complimentary hospitality tent
and pass out awards to Corvette
owners. www.concorso.com (CA)
■ Yes, we've been babbling
away about Monterey Car
Week throughout Inside Line,
and why not? This is, after all,
when the entire world of car collecting
gathers on the Monterey
Peninsula from August 14-21.
It's still not too late to jam on
the accelerator and drive into
the delightful madness. You'll
spend money like water, but the
magnificent cars are everywhere.
Read all about this wonderful
week in our special, 100-page
Monterey Insider's Guide,
which is included with this issue
Concorso Italiano celebrates 40 years of Panteras
of SCM. Now, if you do go—and
return home with scorching hot
credit cards and a fabulous new
addition to your garage—well,
that just makes you a true
SCMer.
Errata
■ The photo of a Porsche
356B that appears in July's
The Insider's View (p. 40) is
incorrect. The photo should have
shown a Porsche 356C.
■ The Lodge at Sonoma is
located in Sonoma, CA. July's
Shifting Gears (p. 14) mistakenly
placed this fine hotel into a
completely different Northern
California valley. ♦
August 2011
25

You Write We Read
All letters are subject to editing. Please address correspondence to SCM, P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208.
Fax 503.253.2234, e-mail: youwrite@sportscarmarket.com
Living, breathing, Indy
Roadsters
To the Editor:
Thor Thorson's comments on
Indy Roadsters in general and the
Elder-Crawford car in particular
(July 2011, p. 64) provide one of
the best characterizations of these
great old race cars that I have ever
read.
I would, however, like to make
a slight adjustment to Thor's
view of the fate of many of these
cars. More than a few are turning
laps on our big, paved ovals at
greater than “sedate” speeds.
Several weeks ago, I ran a few
sub-one-minute laps at Auto Club
Speedway (formerly California
Speedway) in my 1959 Watson
“Simoniz Special” (picture at
right).
As Thor points out, there's
nothing sedate about a 400
horsepower, methanol-fueled,
Offy four-banger at 6,000 rpm.
We're more than willing to lug
those jugs of fuel, push those battery
carts and hoist those starter
motors. It's the price we pay to
enjoy one of the great thrills in
vintage racing—that special
moment coming off turn four,
gazing down that long roadster
hood at the main straight, hard on
the gas and wheel-to-wheel with
one or two other great American
race cars. If you were a kid in the
late 1950s, and if you spent every
Memorial Day with Sid Collins
and the “Greatest Spectacle in
Racing” glued to your ear, it
doesn't get much better than that.
On a related point, I'd like
to pick a nit regarding Thor's
comment that “Front-engined
roadsters were a feature of the
Indianapolis 500 from 1921 to
1963.” In Indy-speak, the term
“roadster” defines a very specific
configuration—common from
the early 1950s until the mid1960s—in
which the driveline is
offset, usually to the left, allowing
the driver to sit low in the car next
to the driveshaft.
A roadster's profile, weight
distribution and center of gravity
are all very different from those
of the earlier “Big Cars” or
Champ Cars, in which the driver
sits directly above the driveshaft.
These differences are not trivial.
The roadster design changed the
game and dominated the Indy 500
as the last front-engine configura-
28
As Thor points out, there's nothing sedate about a 400
horsepower, methanol-fueled, Offy four-banger
at 6,000 rpm
tion to compete successfully
on big, paved ovals. I belabor
this point only because the term
“Indy Roadster” has recently
crept into the automotive lexicon
to describe any vintage, frontengine
Indy car—and that just
ain't so!—Larry Pfitzenmaier,
Sonoita, AZ
Buy or sell?
To the Editor:
Thank you, as always, for the
Pocket Price Guide. I find them
very enlightening. However, this
year I am somewhat confused.
On page 14, the DeLorean is rated
a “Buy.” However, on page 15,
the DeLorean is rated a “Sell.”
Luckily, I read the whole guide
cover to cover in one sitting.
Can you imagine had I only read
through page 14, then gone out
and bought one, how much its
value would have plummeted in
price before I got to page 15 and
sold? Think of all those lucky
people who would have read
further than me. They would
probably already have gotten out
(like your proofreader should
be).—K.J. Bedminster, N.J.
Executive Editor Chester
Allen responds:
K.J., thanks for your note,
and I understand how this
situation might have confused
you. However, if you reread the
introduction to “Cars to Buy, Sell
and Hold in 2011,” you'll find this
passage on page 10: “Here are
some suggestions for 2011 from a
few of SCM's experts, and you'll
note that they don't all agree with
each other—which should come
as no surprise.”
It might be helpful to think of
this feature of the Pocket Price
Guide as a friendly debate among
car-addicted friends. I'm sure
you and your friends disagree on
some cars, just like you disagree
on wine pairings or whether it's
okay to wear more than two logos
at once. It's all a part of the game.
The new owner's perspective—and
thanks
To the Editor:
I am the buyer of the above
noted beautiful Jaguar (June
2011 “The Owner's Perspective”
letter in “You Write, We Read,”
p. 22) and I would like to relate
my deepest congratulations and
thank you for a fabulous vehicle
to the seller.
I am a car collector, and I own
and drive some very special cars
regularly. I want to mention that
this E-type turns heads—in fact
often I need to be careful with
other drivers attempting to take
pictures of the car while driving.
The E-type got my attention
in Scottsdale while I was test
driving a few Ferraris and a
Miura SV. I decided to bid on it,
anticipating a good deal. I got a
superb deal.
Please inform the seller that he
is welcome to drive the car any-
time he is in Toronto, meanwhile
I will take great care of the automobile
and will enjoy it with my
sons at the Mosport International
Raceway once or twice a year.
As a businessman, I can sym-
pathize with his bad luck (I have
been there) and wish him well in
the future.—Giovanni Marcelli,
via email
Publisher Martin's fakeydoo
adventure
To the Editor:
As long as I have been
subscribing to your esteemed
publication, your publisher has
dismissed with disdain as a
“fakey-doo” anything which
smacks of a replica (unless
of course it incorporates one
microscopic original part, such
as a small frame section bearing
the original chassis number—in
which case the whole vehicle is
a skillfully restored original).
Interesting, therefore, that in the
June 2011 issue (“Shifting Gears,”
p. 8), here is Keith Martin driving
a “fakey-doo” Isotta Fraschini
“Flying Star,” albeit damned with
faint praise.
Has he come down off his
high horse and recognized that
some of us who don't have a few
mill to throw at, say, an original
C-type Jaguar, can get all the
thrills and nostalgia of period
motoring—at a fraction of the
cost—in a wonderful replica that
is modified and uprated for a
Sports Car Market

Page 28

You Write We Read
Ad Index
30
Aston Martin of New England................... 137
Auctions America......................................... 19
Automobilia Monterey............................... 161
Autosport Designs........................................ 83
BMW Car Club of America, Inc.................. 35
Barrett-Jackson ............................................ 41
Bonhams & Butterfields............................... 23
Bonhams & Butterfields............................... 29
Branson Collector Car Auction.................. 113
Brookside Import Specialties..................... 153
Canepa.......................................................... 73
Carriage House Motor Cars ......................... 33
Cavallo Motorsports................................... 139
Chubb Personal Insurance............................ 27
Clars Auction Gallery .................................. 97
Classic Cars West....................................... 157
Classic Motorcar Auctions......................... 131
Classic Restoration..................................... 119
Classic Showcase......................................... 51
Cobalt Automotive LLC ............................ 163
Collector Studio ......................................... 145
Columbia River Concours............................ 25
Concorso Italiano......................................... 65
Copley Motorcars......................................... 96
Cosdel ........................................................ 157
Cosmopolitan Motors................................. 149
Credit Suisse ...........................................12-13
Crown Collector Car Auctions................... 109
Dan Kruse Classics ...................................... 49
Driversource Houston LLC................ 117, 143
DrivingXllence............................................. 81
European Collectibles ................................ 141
Exhibitions & Trade Fairs............................ 93
F40 Motorsports......................................... 157
Fairfield County Concours........................... 89
Fantasy Junction......................................... 139
Ferrari of Seattle ........................................ 105
Gooding & Company..................................... 2
Grundy Worldwide....................................... 37
Gullwing Motor Cars, Inc.......................... 130
Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. ................... 21
Hamann Classic Cars................................... 50
Heacock Classic .......................................... 47
Heritage Classics.......................................... 91
Hillsborough Concours.............................. 127
Hilton Head Island Concours..................... 153
Hyman, LTD .............................................. 101
Intercity Lines .............................................. 39
JC Taylor...................................................... 85
JJ Best Banc & Co ..................................... 155
Kastner & Partners Garage ........................ 143
Kidston......................................................... 31
Kirkland Concours d'Elegance.................. 129
Lake Mirror Classic ................................... 121
Mac Neil Automotive Products Ltd........... 103
Mecum Auction...........................................4-7
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center .................... 43
MidAmerica Auctions................................ 133
Miller's Mercedes Parts, Inc....................... 96
Morris & Welford, LLC............................. 164
Motor Classic & Competition Corp........... 161
Motorcar Portfolio ..................................... 131
Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance............ 125
Park Place LTD............................................ 69
Paul Russell And Company ....................... 147
Pebble Beach Concours ..............................111
Poff Transportation .................................... 148
Portland Art Museum................................. 115
Putnam Leasing............................................ 57
Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club................. 67
RM Auctions.....................................14-15, 17
RPM Autobooks......................................... 108
Reliable Carriers .......................................... 79
RockAuto LLC............................................. 75
Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo ......................... 145
Russo & Steele LLC .................................... 45
SWISSVAX AG........................................... 99
Saratoga Fall Ferrari Festival....................... 63
SCM Insider's Seminar.............................. 135
Silver Collector Car Auctions .................10-11
Specialty Auto Auctions, Inc........................ 95
Sports Car Market...................................... 156
Sports & Specialist Cars ............................ 147
Stratus Media Group, Inc........................... 107
Sun River Concours................................... 123
Symbolic Motor Car Co................................. 3
The Banzer Group...................................... 114
The Stable, Ltd............................................. 87
Thomas C Sunday Inc................................ 156
Universal Autosports.................................. 137
VIP Transport Inc....................................... 157
Vicari Motorsports ..................................... 141
Vintage Rallies............................................. 53
VintageAutoPosters.com............................ 157
Watchworks................................................ 157
Worldwide Group........................................8-9
You Write We Read
It's quite a mystery how the car could have gotten into
such terrible condition while in the Nicklin stable.
safer, faster and better-handling
ride? Most of us who do own cars
such as this are not pretending
we have the real thing—we
don't need to, as they are envied
and applauded for what they
are. I would have thought that if
anything is a “fakey-doo,” it is a
so-called “tool room copy” like
the “Flying Star,” which is trying
hard to be mistaken for the original.—John
Colver, Belvedere,
CA
Keith Martin responds:
John, thanks for your note.
Let me attempt to clear up the
“disdain for fakey-doo” and
“enjoying driving a fakey-doo”
conundrum. All of us at SCM, and
our readers as well, thoroughly
enjoy getting behind the steering
wheel of an interesting car. An
“interesting car” can be anything
from a Factory Five Cobra to
an unrestored Bug Eye Sprite.
Driving pleasure and visual
excitement can be evoked by any
number of real, re-created or
faked assemblages.
It's when we come to “value”
that we put on a discerning (you
might say disdainful) hat. Simply
put, re-creations, continuations
and the like are rarely if ever
collectible, and will never have
anything more than a minute
percentage of the market value
of the real thing. Would I like to
drive a fiberglass C-type replica
on a low-key, second-tier vintage
tour or rally? You bet. Would I
tell SCMers that buying one was
a “good financial investment?”
Never.
When it comes to the Flying
Star, I believe you are being
overly harsh. This car has an
authentic chassis and drivetrain,
with a re-created body done in as
an exacting manner as possible.
It is no more or less real than the
many rebodied Bentleys tooling
around.
Personally, I enjoy seeing the
lines of the Flying Star, and applaud
the owners who re-created
it. However, when it is judged at
top flight concours, it is judged
as a rebody, not as a correct “as
manufactured” car—which is
appropriate. In the pecking order
of cars, those with their original
coachwork will (or at least
should, in my opinion) always
have a higher “collectibility quotient”
than those that have been
rebodied, no matter how correct
the new skin is.
Now, if the magnificent Flying
Star coachwork had been executed
in fiberglass and mounted
on a Corvette chassis with a
supercharged ZR-1 motor under
the hood, that would be a different
matter altogether, wouldn't
you agree?
Notes on the Ferrari 212
Inter
To the Editor,
I just finished the stories of
the Vignale 212 Inter in the July
issue (“Ferrari Profile,” pages
48-50). I have the book Ferrari
by Vignale, by Marcel Massini,
published in 1993. This is a
wonderful account of most of
the Vignale-bodied Ferraris, and
it traces their history up to the
date of publication. Hopefully,
someone on the SCM staff can
locate a copy. I'm not sure if it is
still in print.
Here are some notes on
the styling critique by Robert
Cumberford:
The straight side trim strip
is indeed the original. The vents
below the headlights are original,
and did not have any small
bumpers in front of them. The
car did have a front bumper, but
it was below the grille and only
the width of the grille. It also had
four small bumperettes at all four
fenders, mounted high and in line
with the side trim strip. This is
pictured on page 153 of Massini's
book, on the stand at the Turin
Motor Show in 1953.
The original paint was black
with a green top. After a few
owners, the car passed to David
Shute, of Somerset, England, in
1972, carrying plate 111FLB.
Under his ownership, a refurbishment
included discarding the four
high bumperettes.
The car was painted red.
Larry Nicklin received
0267EU in December 1977, when
it was repainted in its original
colors. Massini's book has photos
of all three versions.
Other 212s that had the four
high bumperettes were: 0257EU,
0271EU and 0285EU. Also
0301AL, a 375 America coupe,
had similar styling. They had the
side trim, too.
It's quite a mystery how the
car could have gotten into such
terrible condition while in the
Nicklin stable.—Ken Bohn,
Louisville, KY ♦
Sports Car Market

Page 30

Time Pieces by Alex Hofberg
Elgin Direct Reading Watch
The Elgin Watch Company was established as The
National Watch Company in 1864. Founded by a group
of Chicago businessmen, including B.W. Raymond, who
was twice mayor of Chicago, and watchmaking veterans
mostly made up of men culled from the already established
American Waltham Watch Company, Elgin quickly grew
into the world's largest watch manufacturer.
The American watch industry prospered from roughly
the end of the Civil War through the 1940s. During this
time, American watch companies led the world in industrial
engineering and production automation, but by the
mid 1950s, all of the famous American watch manufacturers
were struggling to compete and showing signs of
impending financial ruin.
Labor costs were often blamed for the failure of a huge
national industry, but other factors included significantly
improved watches from many smaller Swiss firms and a
failure to recognize changes in trends and consumer desires.
We can now look back and see where the last bets
were made during this difficult period—and how some
failed and some succeeded. Hamilton and Bulova made significant
investments in the infancy of electronic watches (Bulova to great
financial success with the Accutron
and Hamilton to great design success
with their Hamilton Electric series,
although less profitably).
One of Elgin's last gasps was an
Details
Production Date: 1958–1960
Best place to wear one: To a sock hop!
Ratings (
is best):
Rarity:
Durability:
Parts/Service Availability:
Cool Factor:
Web: www.elginwatches.org
interesting design that did not fare so
well.
The Elgin Direct Reading watch
made a bold departure from watches
with typical dials, hands and markers.
These Elgin watches featured the
surface of the case, with only a small
Neat Stuff by Tony Piff
aperture covered by a wedgeshaped
crystal through which
the time could be read digitally
on a pair of disks, one showing
the hours and one showing the
minutes.
The series was made in three
styles, all in yellow, gold-filled
cases. The least-expensive model
is now known as the Elgin Golf
Ball Watch, as its round case
was covered in dimples like the
surface of a golf ball. Another,
plainer round case featured a
higher jeweled movement and a
chevron shape much like the fins
of a late 1950s car, and the third
model was a rectangular Tank
style that had an even highergrade
movement. The latter was
favored by Elvis Presley, who
was photographed wearing one.
The movements in Elgin digital watches were all very well made
and had superior finish, but they were plagued with two faults: The
clear plastic discs that the numerals were painted on were fragile and
easily broken during service, and the system that was supposed to keep
the hour numeral fixed in the window—and only advance at the top of
the hour—was tricky to assemble and adjust.
I think these watches appeal to collectors in the way some car col-
lectors favor Edsels. While researching this piece. I learned that there
is a source for new discs online, but I have not tested them. Given that
not many were made—and fewer survived—these watches are somewhat
novel and can be considered cool. An added bonus is that they
are often found for sale under $300, which makes adding one to your
collection easier. As always, check the milk before buying the cow....
Dude, Where's My Car?
Many of us only get to drive our most beloved cars infre-
quently, which often means they are out of sight and out of mind
for extended periods—and sometimes even left in the care of others.
The ArrowTrack GPS tracking system combines a concealed
GPS unit with an automatic monitoring service that alerts you
via email or text message when a car is driven beyond a specified
radius or faster than a certain speed. In case of theft, you'll be able
to pinpoint its location in real time, and with a complete driving
history available, you'll never wonder if the mechanics went joyriding
after rotating your tires. Visit www.arrowtrackgps.com for
more information. ♦
Get Inside the Wheel
SCM is committed to classic cars, but we'll give any gas-
powered novelty a shot. The WheelSurf monocycle offers a whole
new set of driving dynamics to master, with you and the engine
mounted inside the single oversized wheel. Throttle and brakes
are hand-actuated, and to steer, simply lean. The wheel drives on
grass, gravel, or pavement (although it's not road-legal) and can
achieve speeds of up to 25 mph. A minimum rider weight of 110
pounds is recommended for necessary counterbalance during acceleration
and braking. Power comes from a Honda GX31 31-cc
4-stroke. The Wheelsurf is made in the Netherlands and can be
ordered through their website for about $7,000. Add an additional
$800–$1,500 for shipping. www.wheelsurf.nl
32
Sports Car Market

Page 32

In Miniature by Marshall Buck
1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider is a gem
of a sports car, and if you don't believe me,
then just ask Publisher Martin. Those who own
or have owned these Italian wonders already
know what gems they are.
The people at AutoArt of China seem to
also be aware of the Giulietta's fame. AutoArt
is one of the most prolific mass-market model
car manufacturers around, and they produce
thousands of models in scales from tiny 1:64
scale all the way up to big 1:6 scale. The majority
of their models, like this Giulietta, are in
1:18 scale.
This is a fine-looking model, although it
will annoy some of the Alfisti. This one is akin
to some super models seen on the covers of magazines. They sure are pretty,
but the beauty is often skin-deep. That's sort of how I feel with many of
AutoArt's releases—including this Alfa. For all of the intense perfection
that goes into fit, finish—and some of the detailing—they miss the mark
with little and big gaffes.
All AutoArt models are beautifully finished and present extremely well,
with the only problem being that almost every one of them have mistakes
to varying degrees—some in significant ways. It comes down to not doing
thorough or proper research, and their evident acceptance of close being
good enough. As far as I know, close only counts
in horseshoes. Then again, you do get what you
pay for, and you do get a very good model for the
money—even with the mistakes. Want better?
Then pay an expert a lot of money to get it right.
Annoyances aside, this little Spider still has a
Model Details
Production date: 2011
Quantity: An estimated 10,000
or more
SCM Five-Star Rating:
Overal Quality:
Authenticity:
Overall Value:
Web: www.autoartmodels.com
lot of good going for it. Much of the detail is terrific,
with some great touches, such as the perfectly
plated separate chrome parts. Adding to the value
is the snug-fitting, removable hard top, which is
a great piece of model engineering. The overall
feel of the interior is very good, with a couple of
nice touches to offset the mistakes. Black rubber
Speaking Volumes by Mark Wigginton
CAR: The Definitive Visual History of the Automobile
Edited by Giles Chapman, DK Publishing, 360 pages, $25.40 (Amazon)
How do you read? It's such a simple question, but with a thousand idiosyn-
cratic answers. Think about how you read a newspaper—if you still do. You
skip around, looking at big type and big images, reading cutlines under photos
and headlines and their subheads before you ever, if at all, delve into an actual
story. It turns out you are, like most readers, ruthlessly efficient, scanning and
sorting before making the decision to invest your time on a particular topic.
But that scanning is also, in a well-done publication, full of information, and in
fact most of what you take away from the page will be in the big type and big
images you scanned.
This is why I have always been a fan of the Dorling Kindersley publishing
house. They, starting back in the 1970s, brought out books that reflected how
people actually were going to use them, using visuals and short bits of text to
tell complicated stories about how things work—big topics in short bites.
In CAR, they compress the entire sweep of automotive history into 360
pages of images, a bit o' text and a few deeper articles about specific manufacturers
and cars that changed the automotive landscape, with Ford, Alfa,
Volkswagen and Ferrari being just a few examples.
It's a visual feast, from beginning to end, with typical pages filled either
with a dozen smaller profiles of cars or lavish details of a specific featured car.
The text is short, data-packed and to the point.
In short, this is the broad guide to the history of the automobile, efficiently
communicating both the technological progress of the last 100 year as well as
the undeniable beauty of the rolling art form. There is plenty to learn on every
page, and it's a constant feast for the eyes, a big story presented in the way
easiest for you, the user.
34
Provenance:
Editor Giles Chapman is
a former editor of Classic &
Sports Car, and as such, has
the chops to make the right
selections, making sure the
most important cars make
the cut. Everyone will find
vehicles to argue were left
out or shouldn't have been
included, but the choices
that were made show a
knowledgeable, serious
hand at the wheel.
Fit and finish:
DK Publishing is known for their visual design, and CARS
is no exception. It's a thing of beauty, with smart typography,
sharply edited text and beautiful printing.
Drivability:
Designed for a general audience, how much you want/need
this book depends on your goals. I suspect many will be bought
by car guys trying to educate their uninterested spouses, but,
please, how much did you like that book she gave you on the
history of dressage? More accurately, it's a great automotive
visual dictionary, a one-stop reference for that time you want
a quick fact on the 1910 Peugeot Type 126 Touring or detailed
auto-porn images of the Alfa Romeo 6C. ♦
Sports Car Market
floor mats have lightly embossed
Alfa emblem and
ribbing, and the carpeting
is perfect. The dashboard
captures the flavor with
nice gray, white and black
gauges,
and
they've
at-
tended to the nicely replicated
radio blanking plate.
But
then the problems
start, such as the moldedin
dash switches. I'm not
sure about the gear shift
location and stance, and
how on earth did they miss
on the door panel inserts? The red version has red carpets,
black seats and red door panel inserts, which as far as I can
tell, should be black. You can also buy this model in white
with a slightly more accurate all-red interior.
Paint finish is excellent, and panel fit on the opening
doors, trunk and hood is perfect. There's a good engine with
reasonable, but simple detailing. Some of the many nice
touches are beautiful Pininfarina and Alfa Romeo emblems.
The exterior chrome hinges on top of the hood and trunk are
worth noting. They may be a tad oversized, but their look
and function make up for that. Lenses for headlights and signal
lights are clear, clean castings, although the protruding
bullet-like shape of the signal lights is wrong.
Moving to the tail end, we have beautiful taillights that
don't match any reference or car I have seen. Open the accurately
detailed trunk lid, and you'll see a perfectly replicated
black floor mat with logo, but buried inside the right corner
is the gas filler and a modern battery with recycling icons on
it that never existed in the 1950s or 1960s. Beauty is indeed
skin-deep on parts of this otherwise nice model.
Priced at $122.95. Available from Harrell's Miniatures,
1.856.435.6239 or email harrellsminiatures@comcast.net.

Page 34

Affordable Classic 1946-1968 Dodge Power Wagon models WDX / WM-300
A Truck Stuck in the 1946 Wayback Machine
Running the slow-revving flathead any faster than 45 mph is playing Russian
Roulette with throwing a rod out the side of the block the result
by B. Mitchell Carlson
1965 Dodge Power Wagon
for-1940 Dodge civilian trucks with several cab and body configurations, including
an SUV-like Carryall wagon. These VC-Series trucks held great promise, and they
soon evolved into the WC-Series of military half-ton
and lower-profile, three-quarter-ton WC-51 through
WC-64 series trucks by December 7, 1941.
The three-quarter-ton trucks distinguished them-
B
Details
Years produced: 1946–68
Number produced: 95,145
SCM Valuation: $7,500–$25,000 (pickup)
Tune-up/major service: $150
Distributor cap: $10
Chassis #: Forward section of the side of
the left frame rail (right frame rail
after 1960) near the forward shock
mount; tag on the driver's door pillar
Engine #: Flat boss on the left side of the
block, along the cylinder head.
Club: American Truck Historical Society
P.O. Box 901611; Kansas City, MO
64190-1611
More: www.aths.org
Alternatives: 1957–71 Dodge D-Series
Power Wagon pickup, Dodge WC-Series
and M37-series military trucks,
pre-1959 Ford Marmon-Herrington 4x4
conversions, pre-1960 Chevrolet NAPCO
4x4 conversions.
SCM Investment Grade: B- (for truck
lovers) and F (for typical SCM reader).
36
selves as perhaps the best overall truck of WWII—as
they were tougher than the Jeep and even the 1.5-ton
Chevrolet—and more maneuverable than the latter to
boot.
Now in civvies
When the war ended in 1945, Dodge saw a vast,
untapped market for their three-quarter-ton WCs,
mostly because of their versatility and the affection
that GIs had for them. Vehicles used in combat
zones stayed overseas—which included documented
instances of them being dumped into the ocean after
the war—as part of an agreement that automakers
had with the military. Detroit didn't want to have the
post-war market flooded with trucks built during the
war.
With only military trucks that were used on do-
mestic bases available on the used-car market, it was
a new-truck seller's market for Dodge. In addition to
y 1940, military planners all but knew that the United States was eventually
going to end up embroiled in World War II. Specifications were drawn up for
military-specific truck configurations, and Dodge was at the forefront.
Contracts were let initially for a series of half-ton trucks based on the new-
their warmed-over pre-war truck—now called the WD
series—Dodge also answered the demand for a civilian
version of the military WC with the introduction of the
Power Wagon.
The Power Wagon (originally model WDX until
1957) had an all-business front clip that looked military
spec, but it was completely new. Power came from a
230-ci, 94 horsepower version of the venerable Chrysler
flathead 6-cylinder engine. Power flowed through a
4-speed transmission (later with synchronizers) and a
stand-alone, two-speed transfer case to 5.83-ratio front
and rear differentials.
Initially, the pickup box had smooth sides, but in
1951, it became the same embossed high-sided box that
was used on all pickups—and continued to be built well
into the 1980s. In a swords-to-plowshares fashion, the
Power Wagon was available with power take off (driven
off the transfer case) to drive an optional front winch or
rear belt pulley for farm equipment.
A truck stuck in time
The original WDX/WM-300 Power Wagon was vir-
tually unchanged from its introduction in 1946 until it
was finally discontinued for civilian sales in 1968.
Externally, the only difference was the smooth-sided
versus embossed-sided pickup box starting in 1951. The
few changes over the years were mostly in mechanical
details. The greatest change was in 1961, when the engine
was changed to the 251-ci, 125 horsepower flathead
Sports Car Market
Photo: Mecum Auctions

Page 35

variant. This was externally larger than the 230-ci
engine, and few parts interchange. From there on, only
subtle mechanical changes and the serial number are the
only sure way to know what year Power Wagon is sitting
in front of you.
What seems mind-boggling today is that even when
Dodge started using its all-new B-Series cab in 1948,
they kept using the circa-1940 cab for Power Wagons—
all the way into 1968. During that time, the regular
Dodge trucks went through four major cab configuration
changes. All the while, the Power Wagon was stuck
in the 1946 Wayback Machine.
Even after the WM-300 Power Wagon was discon-
tinued in 1968, a version remained in production for
foreign military sales until 1978. This open-cab M601,
or Special Power Wagon, was first built starting in 1957.
The powertrain paralleled the WM-300 Power Wagon's,
although they were powered by 225-ci Slant 6 engines
after the last flatheads went out of production in 1972.
It was sold and distributed through the Military
Defense Assistance Program as a lower-cost alternative
to the U.S. Military's M37—and because they
were more of a generic vehicle than a very Americanmilitary-identifiable
M37—which was especially handy
in the era of deniability.
Known users of M601's included the armed forces
of Argentina, Denmark, Greece, France, Israel, Mexico,
Philippines, and Thailand. The latter country in particular
has been something of a Mother Lode for Power
Wagon parts in recent years, as they have been coming
out of active service.
A slow collector
Early collector interest in Power Wagons was stron-
ger with the off-road crowd, but they've become more collectible in their stock form
during the past 20 years. These are mechanical mountain goats and are not highway
friendly, as 45 mph might be the land speed record.
Running the slow revving flathead any faster than 45 mph—at that speed the rpm
are 2,600—is playing Russian roulette with throwing a rod out the side of the block.
Unless it was retired from a fire department, the vast majority of them were used hard
as heavy-duty tools, and they will a need full restoration to return to stock.
Parts availability is quite good—it is surprising what you can buy for them at the
neighborhood NAPA. While restoration and parts specialists in the civilian Power
Wagons have a pretty tight market, there's enough commonality with the military
trucks—and their greater number of vendors—that parts prices have yet to become
stratospheric, aside from some of the more unique sheet metal and trim.
Two Power Wagons
In 1957, the name Power Wagon assumed multiple personalities. While the original
WDX Power Wagon stayed in production as the model W300, it was joined by Dodge's
first “civilian” four-wheel drive, half-ton pickup, the W100. The truck was essentially
a D100 with four-wheel drive. Dodge was keen to cash in on the Power Wagon name,
so Power Wagon emblems appeared on the hood sides of the W100. As the line of
four-wheel-drive pickups continued to expand to one-ton models and larger, by the
next year the traditional W300 became the model WM300—but also retained the
Power Wagon brand. The old and new styles of Power Wagons continued in parallel
for another decade.
The recent sale of a 1965 Power Wagon for $29,150 at the Mecum Indy auction
in May 2011 (lot U47) showed that unique vintage trucks are defying the current
uncertainty in the collector vehicle market. Originally a California State Park unit,
this truck may not have had a purely authentic restoration, but it was close enough to
stock—with concessions to driving in the 21st Century—to make it turnkey ready for
any collector.
Are Power Wagons collectible at large? Well, yes and no. They will never have
the allure that say, first-gen Broncos or early Jeepsters have, as those two icons of the
off-road set are simply more usable—dare we say fun to drive? But for collectors that
have an extensive military-themed collection, it simply won't be complete without a
Power Wagon—or two or three. ♦
August 2011
37

Page 36

Legal Files Martin Emmison
Collector Car Funds: Is this the Next Market
Development?
We should all bear in mind what every financial prospectus reminds us: past
results are no indication of future performance
1953 Bentley R Type Continental—a fund candidate?
T
hose who follow financial markets are familiar
with the specialized investment funds that concentrate
exclusively in collectible assets, such as
art and fine wine.
A new development for 2011 is specialized funds that
will invest solely or primarily in those assets closest to
our hearts—collector cars. This past winter, plans for
two such funds were launched In Europe.
The Classic Car Fund
The first to announce was The Classic Car Fund,
launched by a team led by Swiss-based enthusiast and
financial expert, Filippo Pignatti Morano di Custoza.
It is headquartered in Liechtenstein, a tiny, financiallyoriented
principality that adjoins Switzerland, where di
Custoza's family office will manage the fund.
The unit of investment of this open-ended fund
is 20 Euros ($29), with a minimum investment of 100
Euros ($145). The plan is that these units can be traded
and encashed on the Hamburg Stock Exchange. As of
early June, di Custoza told me that the fund has not
yet reached its initial capital-raising target of 5 million
Euros ($7.3m). When it does, the fund will start buying
“certain high-quality, rare and historically relevant
vehicles.”
The managers plan to invest roughly 70% of the
fund's available cash in classic automobiles, although
exactly what era, type and value of cars are not specified.
Five generic classes of collector car are listed on the
website (www.theclassiccarfund.com).
38
A little stardust
Indications show that the fund will invest only in the highest-quality cars.
Photographs on the website show a Jaguar E-type, post-war Bentleys, and the 1962
Le Mans-winning Ferrari 330 TRi/LM. The Ferrari is included as an example of a car
whose value has increased strongly in the past—rather than as an indication of what
the fund hopes to acquire.
The balance of the fund will be invested in a mixture of cash deposits, money
market funds and the securities of companies in the automotive field; all of which
is intended to provide the managers with the liquidity for further car purchases and
investor encashment.
The fund documentation states that its cars may be loaned to film companies,
museums or private exhibits, and the net cash generated from these activities will
enhance the financial return to the investor—and also raise the profile and value of the
cars. The fund's cars may make occasional appearances at various events, to which
investors in the fund will be invited (perhaps to enjoy the stardust of their cars being
shown to the public).
While the cars will probably be in professional storage, di Custoza plans a “sound,
smell and touch aspect,” which will let investors enjoy the fund's cars. This may involve
investors using a car, as long as this does not diminish its value.
The team of advisers to The Classic Car Fund includes historic racer Peter Blond
and various current and past luminaries of Christie's and Sotheby's, and is mainly
Swiss-based. The management fee is set at 2% per year of the value of the fund, with
a further performance fee of 20%. There will be a bi-annual valuation of the fund's
cars, which will contribute to the performance rating, along with buying and selling
activity. Investors can also monitor progress from the daily stock market quote, which
will reflect the net asset value of the fund.
The IGA Automotive Fund
The other fund, announced in January 2011, is a Guernsey limited partnership
Sports Car Market

Page 37

named The IGA Automotive Fund. A trio of Monaco-based British entrepreneurs
and car guys, led by Ray Bellm, launched the fund. Bellm was a World Sports Car
champion driver who until recently raced a Ford GT40. As is ever the case, much of
the press coverage concentrated on celebrities Nick Mason and Gordon Murray, who
are outside advisers to this fund. The fund will use U.S. dollars, and the plan is to
raise up to $150m. A minimum of $500,000 is required to buy into this fund, although
presumably a group of individuals could club together and commit their cash through
a suitable investment vehicle.
One purpose of setting up the IGA Fund as a limited partnership is to try to pre-
serve the immunity from Capital Gains Tax, which British tax resident collectors (and
those in many other non-U.S. tax jurisdictions) enjoy when making financial gains on
selling a historic car.
This fund is not open to U.S. investors, given the very real regulatory complications
of selling financial securities to Americans. However, the principals intend this to be
the first of several similar investment vehicles, and—if this first fund is a success—a
similar fund will be created specifically for U.S. investors.
This will be a closed-end fund, somewhat like the traditional private equity fund.
On achieving the final closing, when all accepted investors have committed their cash,
the fund will be closed to further investors—except possibly where the seller of a car
accepts units in the fund as part of his sale price. When the managers make a cash call
on the investors (as suitable purchases are identified and secured), the investors will
stump up their funds, the cars will be bought and will then be held until the managers
feel the time is right to sell each car.
No flipping here
The IGA Automotive Fund will be a long-term investment, and investors will
be unable to sell or encash their investment until the fund has sold its cars, and has
“cashed out.” For this reason alone, this fund is for very wealthy individuals and institutions
who would not go hungry if (in the worst case) the collector car market suffered
a major downturn, as it did between 1990 and 1995—or who do not need immediate
liquidity during the likely holding period of seven to nine years.
The annual management fee is 1.5% of the net asset value of the fund, plus a per-
formance fee on encashment. This is like a profit share arrangement, once a minimum
return of 8% compounded interest has been returned to the investors, mirroring how
the private equity industry works.
The glossy IGA glossy brochure states that “invest-
ment will be limited to ‘best of class' examples of the
world's most desirable limited production collectors'
cars, and will be diversified between make of car, unit
value and usage ensuring there is diversification of
risk.” To be more specific, Bellm has emphasized that
Ferrari constitutes some 40% of the collector car market
by value. This, and the fact that six of the 14 cars
pictured in the brochure are V12 Ferraris, gives a strong
indication that Enzo's most desirable 250 GT models
will feature strongly on IGA's shopping list.
When funds permit, I would expect there to be added
the odd 8C Alfa Romeo and/or pre-war Mercedes, a
McLaren F1, an Aston Martin DB4GT (maybe Zagato),
and a smattering of Jaguar and Porsche sports racing
cars.
An interesting quote from the paperwork is that
“the Fund Manager will appoint a small number of
experienced individuals to identify, source and acquire
vehicles within their own specialist area of expertise in
the market.” Bellm has declined to say who they will be,
which makes good sense—if the acquiring dealers were
identified as IGA representatives, it would not make
their task any easier.
The stated financial objective of the fund is that
the “targeted internal rate of return is intended to be
15% per annum, net of fees and expenses.” While this
may sound aggressive, a fund brochure argues that historically,
high-quality cars appreciate in value at a fairly
rapid pace.
If glossy investment-fund brochures accurately
predicted the future, the world would be awash with billionaires.
A few of my own opinions follow.
August 2011
39

Page 38

Legal Files Martin Emmison
McLaren F1—your fund may own it, but will you get to drive it?
Car Fund Q and A
Will these two funds get off the ground,
and will they soon be out there buying
cars?
I believe yes for CCF, but probably at a relatively
modest level in 2011.
I expect that the IGA Fund will achieve its first
closing by the end of the summer. The sum committed
by investors will probably be more than $82m,
which would enable the managers to buy a few major
cars before the year end.
Will owners be prepared to sell their cars
to these purely financial funds?
Yes, I believe so. There are plenty of collectible
cars out there that their owners will happily sell to a
fund, including the occasional large collection whose
owner would like to diversify into cash or other assets.
Ray Bellm told me that since they launched the
IGA Fund the managers have been offered cars totaling
$150m.
Will the investors get to enjoy the cars
owned by their funds in any manner?
Probably not, in the sense of an investor borrow-
ing the fund's 300SL Gullwing for the weekend, as
the insurance and administrative downsides of such a
system would surely outweigh the rental and/or goodwill
benefit to the fund. The most that an investor
should expect is senior bragging rights while stroking
the radiator cap of the fund's prize exhibit at a Villa
d'Este champagne reception.
40
Will the anticipated gains in value be swallowed up in start-up,
storage and maintenance costs and management fees?
This is a risk, but if values rise significantly over the fund period it should not
be a major risk. The IGA fund paperwork allows for a maximum 3% commission of
the initial money raised to be paid to introducing agents, which would leave the fund
with 97% to invest. While this level may be a norm in the investment industry, it is
steep in my view. Ideally the management fees (as opposed to out-of-pocket outgoings)
should be back-end loaded by reference to performance—and not taken along
the way in large chunks bleeding the fund of cash. The costs of storage, insurance,
upkeep, restoration and maintenance of the fund's cars are necessary and unavoidable,
and if the value increases prove to be anyway near the historical statistics, I
doubt that these costs (or indeed the management fees) will present a problem.
Are these funds a welcome development in the collector car
scene?
SCMers will no doubt have their own views on this one. My approach is prag-
matic. If a new factor appears in the market (love it or hate it) be prepared to get used
to it. Who remembers the collector car world before “matching numbers” became an
important factor? Ferrari's Classiche program attracted some criticism in its early
days, but most traders will now tell you that a big V12 Ferrari that is not certified
will likely suffer a discount.
Are there more car funds getting ready to launch?
I believe there are several groups or individuals who are planning—or maybe
thinking about—launching a private or public car fund. Very likely they are waiting
to see how these first two funds pan out. As they say in the comics, watch this
space. ♦
MARTIN EMMISON is an English solicitor practicing in London, who specializes
in transactions and disputes in the historic car field. He can be contacted at memmison@gdlaw.co.uk.
Sports Car Market

Page 40

Event 2011 Saratoga Springs Invitational
3rd Annual Saratoga Springs Invitational
The show field favored pre-war and sports cars, including a large array of
1920s and 1930s Packards and Pierce-Arrows
by Bill Rothermel
1925 Amilcar CV with skiff body—winner of the Hagerty Preservation Award
the concours and car show calendar—including destination, intimate
venue, hospitality, and of course, great cars. The show field has grown
from just 19 cars in its first year to almost 90 in 2011. The Saratoga
Automobile Museum is the sponsor of the event, which was held on
May 13-15, 2011.
The City of Saratoga, home to 26,000 year-round residents, is just
K
a short drive north of the state capitol of Albany. It is a cultural and
historical mecca with an active arts community, vibrant downtown,
great architecture, and lots of shops and restaurants.
The Museum itself is housed in a 1930s-era spring water bottling
plant, and as host to the Invitational, is the center of weekend activity.
Friday's calendar featured a road tour of the Mohawk Valley, along
with a visit to a private collection that contained numerous Jaguars and
Shelbys; lunch at the private 100-year old Lake George Club and Friday
evening's cocktail party and gallery opening of “Forza Italia.”
Curated by SCMer Ken Gross, a noted automotive author and historian,
the current exhibit of 13 Italian
sports cars runs through October 23,
2011 and ranges from a 1930 Alfa
Romeo 6C 1750 Grand Sport to a 1953
Fiat 8V Supersonic to a 1969 Iso Grifo.
Concours Saturday
Details
Plan ahead: The 4th Annual Saratoga
Springs Invitational, featuring
Cadillac, will be on May 10-12, 2012.
Where: Saratoga Auto Museum,
Saratoga, NY
Cost: $10
More: www.saratogaautomuseum.org
42
took
place
adjacent to the Museum around the reflecting
pool of the Saratoga Spa State
Park headquarters—a lovely venue,
indeed. Despite overcast skies, the
eep your eyes on the Saratoga Springs Invitational. In just
three years, this weekend celebration of the automobile has
gone from local show to significant national event.
Everything is in place for it to become a major player on
temperature remained cool and the rain held off until mid-afternoon.
The show field favored pre-war and sports cars, including a large array
of 1920s and 1930s Packards and Pierce-Arrows. A reception and dinner
was held that evening at the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club.
Sunday morning was blessed with pouring rain, and organizers
quickly moved events indoors to the Museum. SCMer Tom Cotter,
author of The Cobra in the Barn and The Corvette in the Barn, gave
an impromptu presentation, followed by the awards ceremony hosted
by actor Edward Herrmann. Twelve honors were given, including the
Hagerty Preservation Award to an all-original, never-before shown
1925 Amilcar CV with skiff body, engine-turned aluminum fenders,
and lincrusta-covered body sides. Best of Show was appropriately
awarded to the 1911 Rambler Model 65 Wide-Track Touring owned by
SCMers Marty Moore and Rick Egan. ♦
Award-winning SCMers at the Saratoga Springs
Invitational 2011
Ele Chesney
1928 Minerva AF Transformable Town Car,
Hibbard & Darrin,
Most Elegant Closed
Avery Hall
1926 Packard 236 Phaeton,
Chairman's Award
Martin Moore and Rick Eagen
1911 Rambler Model 65 Wide Track 7
Passenger Touring,
Best of Show
Sports Car Market
Bill Pope
Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Zagato,
Most Exciting Sports Car
Alan Rosenblum
1931 Duesenberg Convertible Victoria,
Lewis Golub Award

Page 42

Event Villa d'Este
2011 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
There was so much to see and do it was overwhelming, much in the same
way as Pebble Beach in August
by Jérôme Hardy
and executed, which left you with the difficult choice of when to go
to each, even though there was near-perfect scheduling coordination.
Studying the voluptuous curves of SCMer Joseph Cantore's 1938
Talbot-Lago T23 Teardrop by Figoni & Falaschi is a Ville d'Este
Concorso treat that opens a box of dreams. Studying the voluptuous
curves of RM Auction's 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C Teardrop by Figoni
& Falaschi is another pleasure, although this time the price of achieving
the dream was made clear by the $5m price tag.
Finding joy in the silent running and craftsmanship of Norbert
Seeger's 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Special Town Car during
the Concorso is memorable. Discovering a twin 1929 Rolls-Royce
Brewster Town Car under the RM Auction tent 20 minutes later—
selling at $719,208—reminds you that, as RM auctioneer Max
Girardo would say, “It's only money.”
All in all, 100 cars were on display between the two events. BMW
added a high-quality motorcycle exhibit of premier quality—and a
tribute to the 75th Anniversary of the BMW 328. Simply put, there
was so much to see and do it was overwhelming, much in the same
way of Pebble Beach in August.
So, here we are: Villa d'Este in 2011 was on par with its North
American counterparts, with all the pluses and minuses that implies.
RM Auctions and BMW agreed that RM will host its Villa d'Este
auction every other year, in sync with the Monaco Historic Grand
Prix. Therefore, you will be able to fully enjoy RM Auctions in
Monaco on May 12, 2012, and the Villa d'Este Concorso fully on
May 25-27 with no compromises. It is a perfect, European solution. ♦
Italian coachwork adorns the plaza
T
wo different cultures joined forces in 1999 and overcame all difficulties
for 12 years to build one of the best classic car events in
the world, the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.
The Italians brought La Dolce Vita. The Villa d'Este Grand
Hotel offered its beautiful, century-old gardens along the magnificent
shores of the Lago di Como in central Italy. Throw in colorful azaleas
protected by giant elms, San Pellegrino, Barolo wine, gelato and a
slight breeze, and you get all of southern Europe in one tiny location.
The Germans brought their ability to master all the things that can
be humanly controlled—through BMW's full dedication.
These two organizations built the perfect, European-minded up-
scale classic car gathering. And it encountered worldwide success, with
25% of participants shipping their precious automobile from overseas
to be part of this European experience, which is very different from the
usual North American golf course fairways.
The 2011 edition of Villa d'Este was for the first time complemented
by another set of values—this time from North American culture—in
the form of a sumptuous RM auction. Not surprisingly, RM Auctions'
core company values are a blend
of Italian “Casual attitude” and
German “No room left for improvisation,”
along with the North
American culture of “Bigger is
better” and “Money talks.”
Both events, the Villa d'Este
Details
Plan ahead: May 25-27, 2012
Where: Grand Hotel Villa d'Este, Cernobbio,
Lago di Como, Italy
Cost: Saturday is invitation only. $15 for
adults on Sunday, and no charge for
children under 12
More: www.concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com
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Concorso d'Eleganza on one side,
and the RM Auctions in Villa Erba
on the other, were perfectly crafted
Roll of Honor 2011—Historic Cars
Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este
Corrado Loprestom, Italy
1942 Alfa-Romeo 6C 2500 SS by Bertone
Best of Show by the Jury
Clive Joy, U.K.
1968 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale Berlinetta
Trofeo BMW Group Italia Trophy
Award-winning SCMers at 2011 Villa d'Este
Joseph Cantore, United States
1938 Talbot-Lago T23 coupe by Figoni &
Falaschi
Class Winner, Closed for Comfort
Robert Davis, United States
1952 Siata 208 S Spider
Mention of Honor, New Dawn
Dietmar Götz, Germany
1966 Lamborghini 400 GT
Mention of Honor, Swinging Sixties Style
Jan De Reu, Belgium
1953 Siata 400 F
Class Winner, New Dawn
Martin Gruss, United States
1953 Fiat 8V Berlinetta
Trofeo Foglizzo, Best Interior Design
Peter McCoy, United States
1951 Ferrari 212 Export Berlinetta
Class Winner, Fifties Chic
James Patterson, United States
1933 Delage D8 S Roadster
Class Winner, Open Sky
Jean-Pierre Slavic, Switzerland
1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider
Mention of Honor, Swinging Sixties Style
Jim Utaski, United States
1965 Aston Martin DB5
Trofeo BMW Group Classic, Most Sensitive
Restoration
Alex Vazeos, Great Britain
1935 Delage D8 105 S coupe
Mention of Honor, Closed for Comfort
Sports Car Market

Page 44

Insider's View
E-type at 50: Still Beautiful, Still Treacherous
My wife was overjoyed when the car arrived, and she drove it a grand total
of two times
Reaching the dispatcher at Rocket Towing,
I explained my need for a tow home. He asked
me what kind of car it was and I replied a light
blue Jaguar. He asked my location, and I told
him I was to be found standing by it in a driveway
on SE Powell near 160th. Shortly, he had
me back in my own driveway.
Faced with the prospect of driving my
company car (a `78 Pontiac) into town, I decided
to fuss with the Jag a bit in the hope that
I could solve the problem. I repeated to myself
the old manta “fuel, air, spark” and started
with the fuel. Turning the key, I listened for
the fuel pump—but could hear no ticking. I
removed the pump from the trunk, opened the
casing and found it fully covered in corrosion.
Calculating the likelihood of finding a new
fuel pump on a Saturday at zero, I decided to
clean it up and see. Some solvent and a couple
of brushes later, it certainly looked like new,
so I reinstalled it and turned the key. The big
6 caught immediately, so I washed up and
delightedly headed back into the city.
A few minutes later, the fuel pump once
the engine stopped and I
again shut down,
coasted into the same driveway.
I borrowed the phone and again called
Rocket Towing. Giving my location and vehicle
description, the dispatcher responded,
“That's odd; we towed a blue Jaguar from that
same neighborhood to Gresham earlier today.”
When I explained that had been me, he
laughed and said, “You know, I've been working
here ten years and I don't ever remember
ever before towing the same car from the same
place to the same place twice in one day.” I
suggested that should earn me a discount and
he readily agreed to half price on the second
tow.
Returning home, I pushed the Jag into the
garage to await a new fuel pump and left in
the Pontiac.
George Eshaghian, Beverly Hills, CA: I
T
46
his year, the Jaguar E-type turns 50 years old. Few sports cars are as beautiful—and few
inspire so many tales of love—and broken hearts. We asked SCM readers to share their
tales of Jaguar E-types:
Jack Roberts, Indialantic, FL: It was
the spring of 1979, and after a succession of
British and Italian sports cars (TR-3, Sprite,
MGC GT, AH 3000, TR-4A, plus a couple of
124 Spiders, three Volkswagens and a 1967
E-type coupe) I had finally worked my way
up to the car I'd wanted since junior high—an
E-type roadster. It was just 10 years old, ran
well and with some fresh paint and a little
upholstery work, looked fabulous.
I rose to be greeted by the sun, always a
pleasant surprise on Portland weekend, and
decided to dust off the Jag and head into the
city. I lived in Gresham, a suburb about 15
miles east and had progressed about a third
of that distance when suddenly, the car simply
stopped running. I coasted into a driveway
and borrowed the phone.
purchased my 1974 E-type in 2005 as a gift
for my wife. My wife would often recall the
beautiful E-type owned by a neighbor when
she was a young girl, so as a surprise I found
the car on eBay being offered by a dealer in
Oklahoma City. I spoke to the dealer, and when
the car didn't sell via the online auction, I decided
to go take a look in person. The dealer
picked me up at the airport. On the drive out to
his showroom, I probably should have heeded
warning signs, as he basically told me that
eBay was the way to dump the dogs. I called
him out on this, and he of course, said that the
Jag was the exception.
It was a beautiful British Racing Green
over tan convertible that was in lovely cosmetic
condition, and it drove reasonably well
Sports Car Market

Page 46

Insider's View
whenever the weather here in Northeast Ohio
lets me.
I have several other cars—but none as
pretty as the E-type—and every time I drive it
I still think of my Dad.
Russ Smith, Lincolnshire, U.K.: As
proof that the E-type can still weave its magic
with the opposite sex, I was out in my 1968
2+2 when I met my now wife, Yve, eight years
ago. I knew she was going to be my wife when
it turned out she had nearly bought an E-type
herself and had her own books on them. So of
course, the Jag also had a starring role at our
wedding in 2005.
Andy Bogus, Torrance, CA: I have come
Loper's Series I E-type
that day in Oklahoma. Since I think my father
had already leaked news of the “surprise” to
my wife, I was not going to come away emptyhanded,
so we made the deal and I had a
transporter pick up the car a short while later.
My wife was overjoyed when the car arrived
in California, and she drove it a grand total
of two times—that first day it arrived and the
day the transporter came to pick the car up
when I sold it several years later.
The car was notoriously unreliable and left
me stranded several times. I gradually sorted
the car out, between electrical problems, brake
issues, cooling system problems and the like,
but I never fully trusted the car, and we simply
didn't drive it enough. I had been advertising
the car in SCM classifieds, Hemmings and a
few other places, when I received an email
from SCM seeking cars for the first season of
“What's My Car Worth?”
I offered to bring the Jag to the Petersen
Museum. Keith and the producers of the show
were interested in the Series III as a sort of upand-coming
model (or perhaps they couldn't
find anyone else to fill out the schedule), and
we made arrangements to bring the car over
for the taping. I had the car cleaned and detailed,
and my most mechanically inclined
friend came along just in case the Jag decided
to be disagreeable.
Inside the Petersen, and under the bright
lights, the car really looked fabulous. Keith
gave the car a solid #2 rating, and we had a
fun day talking to other owners and touring
the museum. I drove the car home without
incident (perhaps one of the few times where
I was able to complete a round trip without
trouble). Before the episode of “What's My
Car Worth” aired, I sold the car to a buyer in
Australia.
I had mixed feelings when the carrier came
to pick up the car. The car was truly an icon
and there was nothing quite like sitting behind
that long sexy hood with the top down.
Phil Goodfellow, Mesa, AZ: This one
dates back 40 years or so. I was a young guy
looking for another fun car. You know, fast,
great handling, good looking—and it had to
sound good. I already had my Corvette and
Z/28, so I wanted to try something foreign. It
48
boiled down to an Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce
and an E-type. I had already driven the Alfa,
and so now it was the Jag's turn for a test
drive. WOW! What a good looker, handled
okay, fast and sounded good and then—the
clutch went out!
The owner says, “Oh, don't worry. That
happens all the time.” I thoroughly enjoyed
my Alfa for the next three years.
Pat Lind, via email: Back in the late
1960s and early 1970s, I was working as an
apprentice mechanic at a MG-Jaguar-LotusFiat-Toyota
store in Waterloo, IA. At the time
you could buy a nice E-type from a frustrated
owner for a few thousand dollars. I even had a
1963 given to me, the guy was so mad!
One Saturday morning I was taking my
girlfriend (now wife) to the airport
in my
E-type coupe when the fuel pump decided to
start stop working. The SU fuel pumps had
a bad habit of the points “sticking” which
stopped the flow of fuel. The standard repair
initially was to give it a whack, which many
times would get it pumping again.
I removed the floor panel that covered the
spare tire and the fuel pump. Every time the
pump would stop, my girlfriend would smack
it with a clothes rod we had in the car. We got
to the airport no problem, but on the way home
my ability to drive and try to hit the pump was
going to be a problem. My brilliant solution:
When the pump stopped, I drove onto the
shoulder until I hit a pot hole large enough to
jar the pump back into action.
Chuck Loper, via email: I was 4 years old
in 1961 and remember it like it was yesterday.
My dad worked for the British Leyland dealership
on Long Island, NY, and had just received
one of the first E-types to come to the country.
It was white and sat so low it barely made it
up our very long and steep driveway of about
150 yards. My dad was delivering it to its new
owner the next day and brought it home the afternoon
before. I spent the day outside looking
at it and then pretended at night that I could
take it out for a drive.
In 2007—46 years later—I found and
bought one of the nicest E-types available at
the Amelia Island auction. I have had it 4 years
now and taken it to many shows and drive it at
close on two separate occasions of owning an
E-type. The second time was boring and the
result of a pragmatic decision, the first, well,
that was a bit more annoying.
It was 1984, and I was in college. Near
campus was a small service station. At the
end of the parking area, near the street, was a
yellow 1972 (or so, I never did find out) E-type
roadster. V12, 4 speed. A fellow college student
indicated that the car might be for sale
for about $5,000. I was like, “DAMN! I have
that kinda money!” Not that I was loaded, but
I easily could have afforded it if I had sold my
1976 AMC Pacer—yes, a Pacer, a Christmas
gift from my Mom in 1981—and cashed in the
inheritance from my Dad's estate.
So I go home one evening and proceeded
to regale my Mom, who liked cars only as
much as she had to—for the most part they
were depreciable assets—about how cool this
car was! And that I really wanted it! Oh, and it
was British, just like her! And that it was going
to appreciate in value (yeah, right, she says,
all of her accounting and business degrees,
against an 18-year-old with no knowledge). In
short, I was doomed.
Then my brother, Roy, came over and
chimed in. He asked how big the engine was,
and I said, “Just a little bigger than what is
in the Pacer now.” Which was absolutely
true—4.2 liters versus 5.3 liters! Then he had
to ask if it was a V12—TORPEDOED.
The Jag was gone a few days later, so
I never did build up the courage to actually
check it out. In hindsight, I was better off
without it, but at the same time, I wish I had
had the chance to do something so brave, so
avant garde. Alas, 15 years later, when I saw a
Series 1.5 coupe for sale for the right price, I
thought long and hard, but wisely said no. My
then girlfriend said I could park it in her barn,
but the realistic side of my subconscious told
me that the garage storage option was going
to be short-lived. I was right, as we broke up
4 months later!
My senior brother, Paul, didn't fare much
better, either. In 1967, he was easily able to
afford one, but needed our Dad to co-sign the
loan—and he wouldn't do it.
I look back on the E-type and realize that
it simply wasn't to be. One day, perhaps, I
will own one. Until then, I will view from a
distance and appreciate their beauty and let
someone else pay the service costs! At the
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Insider's View
Theophilos' 1972 Series III E-type
same time, I sometimes wonder how I became such a gearhead when
just about everyone else in the family was not —or worse yet, actively
trying to marginalize it... a Pacer? For crying out loud.
I did end up cashing in that inheritance... on a thoroughly practical
1981 Toyota Celica GT coupe. When I ran the CARFAX on it a few
years ago, it revealed I was robbed; someone had put GT badging on a
base ST coupe! The car was OK, but not great. For what it is worth, I
am into Corvettes these days... So I am marginally redeemed, I guess.
Steve Sunshine, New York, NY: I was 6 years old in 1961. The
first time I laid eyes on the E-type Coupe, I went into a jaw-dropping,
hypnotic state. I had never seen anything so beautiful. From my 20s
on, I have owned many vintage sports and race cars but never an
E-type. Why? Because I never thought I found the right one.
In 2005, just before my 50th birthday, my wife decided to make
it my 50th birthday present. A two-previous-owners, 30,000-mile,
documented 1961. It is the 201st car built and was featured at the New
York Concours d'Elegance in Central Park in 2005. I will never sell it
because when I walk into the garage, I become 6 all over again.
Tony Theophilos, San Francisco, CA: Six years ago, I was at one
of the auctions held in conjunction with the Pebble Beach Concours.
My wife and I were staying with friends in Carmel Valley, and she
had remained at their place to get ready for dinner while I attended
the auction.
As is my practice, I had registered to bid, just in case I saw an
inexpensive item of automobilia come up. Instead, I saw a beautiful
1972 Series 3 E-type OTS that I just couldn't resist. I raised my paddle
and became the winning bidder before I had even realized what I had
just done. Since I hadn't anticipated buying a car at the auction, I had
to give the auction company three credit cards to pay for it. Now, the
only problem that remained was deciding how to break the news to my
wife. Thinking that honesty is always the best policy, I drove the car
back to our friend's house, parked it in front and went in to tell my wife
that I had a surprise I wanted her to see.
Unfortunately, I should have chosen my words more carefully. On
seeing the car in all its majestic glory, she exclaimed excitedly “For
me???” What could I say?
I owned the car for ten years and only sold it about three months
ago.
Jeff Pulford, via email: I was working my first job in Buffalo,
NY; I was eleven years old. I delivered the daily paper through deep
snow and on (the few) sunny days throughout the year. When I collected
the money to pay for the paper I enjoyed my financial success
by splurging on a cheeseburger, fries and a small Coke at McDonald's
on Sheridan Drive.
Under original golden arches, sitting on the outside bench along the
side of the building, I viewed the parking lot of a Jaguar dealer with an
array of every production color of XK E-type available, lined up side
by side. What an awesome sight. “Someday,” I thought….
After completing college I sought out an E-type roadster. Back
then there were nice examples listed in my local paper's classified ads
(the Washington Post). I found one, a 1971 Series II that had been
freshly painted Old English White with red leather and a black top.
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Page 49

I had been told these cars were expensive
to maintain and I should have a knowledgeable
Jaguar expert check out the car. So, I
obtained a referral to “a guy who knew Jags.”
Like me, he thought these were beautiful cars.
After six months of pure enjoyment, my
freshly painted daily driver began to show
rust. And the clutch started to make noises.
That is a big, expensive, engine-out job.
So, I removed the glass panels from my
landlady's basement sliding door and drove
my Jag into the basement with an eighth of an
inch on each side to spare and began to disassemble.
My Bentley's Guide led me through
the disassembly nicely—until I got to the part
where he says to remove the torsion bar reaction
plate. Novice that I was, I could not budge
the bolts. I even had the strongest guy I know
try with no luck. So I turned to an expert
(nicknamed “Jaguar Joe”) for advice. He told
me to get the tension off the bolts.
I eventually discovered I had a lot more
rust than I expected.
I was making payments on this car as it
disintegrated before my eyes. Repairing the
rust was beyond my ability—and my budget.
I got the new clutch in and dropped the en-
gine back in place. Then I hooked everything
up and turned the key.
The engine turned over time and time
again with the help of the starter, but it just did
not want to come to life.
By chance, I asked a clerk
at the local speed shop if he
had any ideas. He did. “Try
new plugs; for a few bucks
you can at least rule out fouled
plugs,” he said.
I had replaced the plugs
just before the engine came
out so I had no expectation
that his solution would work.
But it did. Live and learn! I
spent the next two years gathering
parts as I could afford
them from places near and far.
I took the car and accu-
mulated parts on a flatbed to
Jaguar Joe (after all, he was
already involved so I thought
he would “take care of me”)
and asked how much it would
cost to finish the job. This is
when I was told that “If I had to ask….”
At this point, I thought maybe I should
shove the car over a cliff and keep making the
payments, as it would be cheaper.
I asked Joe if he knew anyone who could
help me out. A few blocks away, two brothers
in a small shop took me on as a project with
only one stipulation—that I not be in a rush.
They would work on my car between other
repairs. I told them to just put it back together
and make it look good enough for me to sell. A
Pure joy—when it's running
year later they called me. Just $2,500 later—
really!—I had my XKE restored, beautifully.
It was repainted Old English White lacquer
and looked like a million bucks!
I enjoyed the miles I have put on my XKE
over the 25 years since the restoration, always
checking the weather to make sure there was
no rain in the forecast (rust avoidance). From
my dreams outside McDonald's to now, I've
had my share of trials, tribulations and fun. ♦
August 2011
51

Page 50

From the Paddock Murray Smith
The 276 mph Bluebird—and a 1,000 mph
Bloodhound
The third motor—a 700-hp Cosworth Formula One engine—will pump
several tons of fuel into the rocket motor in 20 seconds
Andy Green with Malcom Campbell's Bluebird
A
s a boy I was mesmerized by the pace and nomenclature
which characterized Land Speed Record Cars in the decade
or so before I was born.
Golden Arrow, Speed of the Wind, Thunderbolt, and of
course, Bluebird, which was driven by a man whose name absolutely
stood for SPEED: Malcolm Campbell.
While record cars of the Post-World War II era went even faster,
their names—Green Monster, Wingfoot Express, Golden Rod and Blue
Flame—don't quite evoke for me the magic of a multi-ton streamlined
vehicle slipping and sliding down Florida's Daytona Beach, just out of
reach of the breaking surf, at 276 mph in March 1935.
But I was rather taken by the name of a post-War British contender,
Thrust, and its owner, Richard Noble, when they started to take aim
at the land speed record in the 1980s. Like many other great British
endeavors, it was terminally underfunded, and it leapt from one potentially
disastrous crisis to another. But an inspiring mix of raw courage,
tremendous team spirit, talent, and optimism fueled the project.
From humble beginnings, when Noble tested at some 116 mph in
1980, the effort culminated with a rousing crescendo when Noble, driving
Thrust 2, managed to cross the Black Rock Desert in Nevada at
633.468 mph in October of 1983. Guts indeed!
For some years now, I have been lucky enough to conduct a series
of interviews with the greats of the automobile world on behalf of
the Rolex Watch Company at some of their racing events. I've heard
52
first-hand impressions of what it was like to navigate Puke Hollow at
Langhorne from Parnelli Jones and Mario Andretti. Jackie Stewart
recounted his darkest feelings on leaving his home in Switzerland for
the fearsome German and Belgian Grands Prix at the Nurburgring and
Spa.
Crazed abandonment—and weapons-grade cool
But I have to say that Andy Green, this year's Grand Marshal at
the Rolex 24 at Daytona, just about takes the cake for sheer, crazed,
hang-it-all-out abandonment—combined with real, steely analytical,
weapons-grade cool.
I met Andy a few years ago while having lunch with Brian Redman
at the Goodwood Drivers Club. A tall, solitary immaculately dressed
stranger was eyeing the salad bar while Brian and I were eyeing the
Gold Star on the top of his British Racing Drivers Club Badge, which is
only given for outstanding automotive achievement. That achievement,
of course, was breaking the Land Speed Record in 1997 by reaching
763 mph—and, in the process, becoming the first person to break the
sound barrier in a car.
I said to Brian, “Who's that?”—and then wandered up to find out.
Andy told me who he was—with a quiet modesty that hides what
he does in a land speed record car, a bobsled, or a Royal Air Force jet
fighter—and then sat down and joined us for lunch.
I thought to myself, “This guy is perfect for the Grand Marshal gig
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at Daytona,” especially given the long history of land speed
record attempts at Daytona Beach.
For years we tried to get Andy's schedule in synch with the
start of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, but it has always conflicted
with the famous Cresta Run in St. Moritz, where he was the
captain of the RAF Bobsleigh Team. But Andy was available in
2011—if we could get him back to Switzerland the day after the
Rolex 24 was over.
Andy was committed to hurling his sled down the Cresta
Run (where his RAF Team won the inter-services championship).
Once Andy arrived in Florida, the first priority was to
get ourselves in the room where the Daytona International
Speedway keeps Malcolm Campbell's iconic Bluebird. What an
amazing piece that car is, with coachwork by Gurney Nutting,
long and blue, with a tiny aircraft style cockpit and great, big
balloon tires.
We had received special dispensation to climb the velvet
rope, and Andy could not restrain himself from inserting his
lanky frame behind the Bluebird's wheel.
A dazzling dinner
Then we unleashed Andy on an amazed crowd at the Rolex 24 at
Daytona pre-race dinner. I have never seen so many good and experienced
racing drivers, such as Hurley Haywood, sit transfixed by his story
of breaking the sound barrier on land. Andy's next endeavor—1,000
mph on a South African desert in a triple-engined creature called
“Bloodhound”—also held the group's attention.
Now, imagine the triple-engined Bloodhound and what Andy is plan-
ning to do with it. First, he will light up the fighter jet engine, which will
propel the vehicle towards the speed of sound. Then somewhere in excess
Green behind Bluebird's wheel
of 700 mph—while making sure that the projectile in which he is sitting
is pointing more or less straight—he will ignite the rocket engine.
Andy said the third motor—a Cosworth Formula One engine uprated
to 700 horsepower at 20,000 rpm—will then pump the rocket fuel, several
tons of it, into the rocket motor in 20 seconds. This ought to take the
car—and Andy—through the coveted 1,000 mph mark.
At this stage, everyone broke out into spontaneous applause—and we
were all probably thinking, “Rather you than me.”
It was the first time I have been totally stunned by one of our guests. ♦
August 2011
53

SCM
Digital Bonus
Long before Porsche had a removable top
panel “Targa” model, the word meant something
different in the automotive world. Targa
was the short name for the Targa Florio, which
was one of the most difficult and important
sports car races ever staged. It ran over multiple
43-mile laps of Sicilian countryside, and
each lap included terrifying mountain roads
and a gut-check 3.7-mile straight. The route's
elevation changes often meant adapting to
different weather conditions, but the most
nerve-wracking section had to be the highspeed
passes through small towns packed with
spectators standing inches from your path.
The Targa Florio was eventually canceled
after a fatal accident, and a former lap record
holder called the race “totally insane.”
Porsche named their new removable-panel
911 model the Targa after several Targa
Florio victories.
It is likely that the celebrated race was also
the motivation for the purchase of our subject
car. The original owner lived in Sicily, and the
car competed in the Targa Florio five times.
The car was used in other competition events,
but it was surely the desire to do well in the
Targa Florio that influenced the purchase.
An engine like a watch
The 4-cylinder Ferraris have a very thin market.
The engines are thought to be somewhat fragile, and
the number of guys who really know what makes them
tick can be counted on your fingers. Four-cylinder parts
are nearly nonexistent, and their performance lags the
12-cylinder cars. On the other hand, the 4-cylinder engine
is like a fine watch, the castings are jewelry and the
internals are so complicated they are a marvel to study.
When running, the sound of the gears and mechanicals
whirling and whining is like nothing else in the automotive
world.
There is a group of hardcore followers that know
everything there is to know about every 4-cylinder
Ferrari. These fanatics often can't afford the cars, but
they get enough converts to keep the market interesting.
Calculating a price
So, how do you put a value on a car when there were only 19 of them ever made,
and they almost never come to market? You start with what it's not worth.
There were roughly 125 4-cylinder Ferraris built. Figuring that the TRC is the
premium car of the 4-cylinder models, you search for any 4-cylinder sales and use
them to set a bottom. Next, you look for recent sales of more desirable cars, like a 250
Testa Rossa, and use those to set the top bracket. If you're lucky, you'll have a small
spread where the buyer and seller can find the sweet spot.
Fortunately, there were price points to work with on this car. RM previously sold
this very car at their 2006 Monterey auction for $2,282,500. Gooding & Company
offered the car again at their 2008 Monterey auction, but the seller turned down the
$3,200,000 high bid. That helps figure how the seller might value the car today.
The auction estimate was roughly $3,700,000 to $4,700,000, and the sale came
in at a respectable $3,986,360. Ignoring all expenses, the 2008 to 2011 return was
73%. The Italian venue appears to have been the correct choice for a sale, as in euros
the sale was only up 57% from 2006. The return was further enhanced by maybe
$100,000, as a spare engine and miscellaneous
parts package included in the
2006 sale were not offered this time. It
was reported that the car had a United
States title, which could add 19% to the
price for a European buyer.
The best of a small bunch
This car may be the best of the 500
TRCs. It has an exceptional provenance
with history from new. It had an extensive
racing history, but it is free from any
notable damage. It has been maintained
by the right people and is not in need
of any significant work. The buyer was
lucky to put out just enough money to
get the car bought without overpaying.
The seller got a nice return and some
personal time with one of the great cars
of the automotive world.
All told, both parties had a good day
at Villa d'Este. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of
RM Auctions.)
SCM Digital Bonus. Additional images, and more...
August 2011
55

Page 54

Sheehan Speaks Michael Sheehan
Too Many Serial Numbers
As a certified anorak, I'm amazed at how often non-matching serial
numbers were quietly swept under the table by some sellers
the assembly plant location and the twelfth through
seventeenth digits (085788) are the actual serial number
of the car. While the full Ferrari 17-digit VIN code
breakdown takes six pages to fully explain, it's cast in
stone and leaves nothing to chance.
So, what gives with different VIN codes on the same
Ferrari?
Déjà vu, all over again
We last faced this same dilemma two years ago
when we were asked to market 2000 Ferrari 550 s/n
ZFFZR49A3Y0117133. The owner had supplied a
great set of detailed photos. The chassis stamping
and steering column were correct, but the warranty
card was s/n ZFFZS49A8Y0117133 (different restraint
system and check digit), the bar coded VIN showed
ZFFZR49A3YO117133 (a non-existent assembly plant)
and the door plate had the correct VIN, but the build
date was stamped SEPTEMBER 1998, which was a full
year too early.
An email to the dealer who had sold this 550 new
Make sure the numbers match
O
ur story began when a client asked us to market his ultra-low mile, twoowner
Ferrari F40, s/n ZFFMN34A0L0085788. With only 499 unusuallywell-documented
miles, a mere two owners over 21 years and an unbroken
paper trail from new, the pedigree didn't get much better.
The owner understood that a great set of photos is essential to marketing and so had
his mechanic supply 70 high-resolution photos modeled after what we normally use on
our website. The photos were sent to the team who do our hardware, software, website
and e-mailers for photo processing.
While they were doing their due diligence, they noticed that the aluminum door plate,
the chassis stamping, the steering column and the warranty card all carried the correct
VIN of ZFFMN34A0L0085788, but the bar coded VIN (ZFFMN34R2L0085887) on
the driver's door pillar didn't match.
Crash repair? Stolen parts? The dark-side conclusions a buyer (or a law-enforce-
ment or customs agent) might draw are many. However, with this F40 and the 550 we
discuss below, it turns out that it was simply a factory screwup. Read on.
Decoding a Ferrari VIN
The eighth digit in the correct chassis number was an “A” and showed this was a
left-hand-drive Ferrari sold new into the North America or Middle East markets. The
incorrect BAR-coded VIN carried an “R” which doesn't match with any of Ferrari's
market codes for the eighth letter in the VIN. Additionally, the ninth digit in the correct
chassis number was a “0,” which is a check digit number. The BAR-coded VIN
carried a “2,” which is the wrong check digit in the VIN.
All VIN numbers are a standardized code dictated in 1981 by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration. On all Ferraris built after 1981, the first three numbers
(ZFF) are for Italy and Ferrari. Using this F40 as an example, the fourth digit (M) is for
the engine type, the fifth (N) for the restraint system, the sixth and seventh (34) show
the model type. The eighth digit (A) is for the sales market, the ninth (0) is a check digit
and the tenth (L) is for the model year.
For those truly into minutia, the eighth digit—although listed as a market digit—is
actually arrived at through a fairly complex calculation, which is why they seemingly
vary. It is this way so an unscrupulous individual can't create a VIN without
the formula, which is protected by each manufacturer. The eleventh digit (0) shows
56
confirmed they had seen the discrepancy but did nothing.
The car had been special ordered and the eager new
owner wanted his new car “now.”
As a certified anorak, I'm amazed at how often
non-matching serial numbers are quietly swept under
the table by some sellers. For those who don't know,
in British slang, an anorak is usually a socially inept
person—almost
always male—with an
obsessive-
compulsive hobby that includes tracking and recording
incredibly detailed information on arcane subjects, such
as trains, cars, airplanes, or luxury yachts, all of which
is normally regarded as more than staggeringly boring
by the rest of the population.
I, naturally, charged into the mismatched VIN quag-
mire in an attempt to solve the problem.
An email to one of the historian groups I belong
to brought a response from Andrew Wass, who commented
that this 550 was one of the two first 2000 model
year 550 Maranellos sent to the United States that year,
so the mismatch was probably a very early production
screw up. However, the discrepancy should have been
spotted at the factory, again when this 550 came through
customs and was inspected at Ferrari North America's
facility in New Jersey, and again at the selling dealer
during their pre-delivery inspection. It either wasn't
spotted or was just ignored.
Value added by solving the problem
Why do we care about a mismatched number on the
door plate or the restraint system? All Ferraris from the
360 and 575 onward have the VIN encoded into the onboard
computer, and it can be very problematic when the
diagnostic computer tells you WRONG VIN.
Needless to say, mismatched numbers can become a
very ugly problem if the car is in an accident and there
is an insurance claim, if it is stopped and checked by the
police, during a smog or DMV VIN check—or when the
car is for sale and it is inspected by a shop or buyer who
does more than the usual due diligence.
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The thoughtful dealer and brokers who do go through
the drama to understand the system—and have the patience
and capacity to get the mistakes corrected—add
both peace of mind to the owner and value to the sale.
And now the good news
The good news is that Ferrari North America has
dealt with these problems before, and they have assigned
a rep to this problem. If the rep determines it is necessary,
the factory will generate a correct door plate, a new
warranty page and a new door plate or BAR code sticker
in about 60 days and have it installed at the local dealer.
In the case of the wrong computer VIN, the factory will
re-flash the dash to make the corrections. There is no
charge.
If the owner lives far from an authorized dealer,
Ferrari North America will send out a service representative
to the owner's home or to a local independent
shop for installation—again at no charge. On those rare
occasions when the VIN number is stamped incorrectly
into the chassis, the Factory will repair the problem but
they require that an authorized dealer do the work.
Avoiding CARFAX and Ferrari Chat
Over the years, I've come across multiple Fiat- and
Montezemolo-era Ferraris with the same problem—
from Mondials to Testarossas to F40s. As for the variations
on the same problem in the Enzo-era Ferraris, that
could be a short book of examples.
All dealers agreed that avoiding a problem with
the police and state departments of motor vehicles
was priority one, and keeping any chassis or data plate
discrepancy off a CARFAX report or far away from
www.FerrariChat.com was equally as important. A
CARFAX problem—or one of the many endless threads
Check the VIN number here as well...
on FerrariChat—could make a future sale problematic.
It's much better to solve any problem when it is found. Ferrari is very cooperative,
and the expense and drama of a title bond can be avoided if the problem is quickly
dealt with through Ferrari North America. While very few owners will ever face this
problem, it is always a possibility and (at least to this anorak) a technically interesting
problem that screams for solution. It always pays to do your due diligence when checking
a Fiat- or Montezemolo-era Ferrari for manufacturer identification discrepancies.
Catch them before a routine vehicle stop ends up resulting in a vehicle seizure, which
is a sure way to ruin your day.
When buying any Ferrari, take the few minutes to check the VIN numbers and
build date info—and if you already own a Ferrari with a problem, take care of it before
a uncommon molehill becomes a mountain of red tape. ♦
August 2011
57

Page 56

English Profile
1963 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible Barn Find
Once you got up close, it was actually dead straight and not rotten, probably
thanks to having been put away for so long
by Paul Hardiman
Details
Years produced: 1961–1963
Number produced: 70
Original list price: $12,457
SCM Valuation: $341,300–$525,000
Tune-up cost: $900
Distributor cap: $83
Chassis #: Engine compartment on right
of firewall
Engine #: Stamped on right side of
engine block
Club: Aston Martin Owners' Club, Drayton
St Leonard, Wallingford, Oxfordshire
OX10 7BG
More: www.amoc.org
Alternatives: 1960–1964 Maserati 3500GT
Spider, 1957–1964 Lancia Flaminia
Touring Spider, 1964 Citroën DS23
Decapotable
SCM Investment Grade: B
Comps
1963 Aston Martin DB4 Vantage
Convertible
C
lassically proportioned and instantly recognizable
from the moment of its introduction in
1958, the Touring-styled Aston Martin DB4
established a look that would survive, with only minor
revisions, until 1970. Designed by Tadek Marek and
already proven in racing, the DB4's new twin-cam,
6-cylinder engine displaced 3670cc while the gearbox
was a new David Brown 4-speed, all-synchromesh unit.
An immensely strong platform-type chassis, designed
by Harold Beach, replaced the preceding DB2/4's multitubular
space frame. Boasting disc brakes all around—
and with 240 horsepower on tap—the DB4 was the first
production car capable of accelerating from a standing
start to 100 mph and back to rest again in under 30 seconds.
The DB4 was available only as a closed coupe until
September 1961, when the convertible version was unveiled
at that year's Motor Show.
Never listed in the AMOC Register, DB4C/1104R has
had only two owners from new, having been purchased
by the current vendor in 1978 from the first owner,
agronomist Professor Geoffrey Emett Blackman, FRS.
At the time he purchased the Aston, Geoffrey Blackman
was Sibthorpian Professor of Rural Economy at Oxford
University and Director of the Agricultural Research
Council Unit of Experimental Agronomy there.
The Aston has been laid up in dry storage ever since
1979 and currently displays a total of only 60,000 miles
on the odometer. The engine is now back in the car, which
58
is presented in barn find condition, ripe for sympathetic
restoration. An exciting and potentially most rewarding
project for the Aston Martin enthusiast, DB4C/1104R
is offered with instruction manual, workshop manual,
parts catalogue and Swansea V5 registration document.
SCM Analysis This car, Lot 309, sold for $502,405,
including buyer's premium, at
Bonhams' annual Aston Martin sale at Works Service,
Newport Pagnell, U.K., on May 21, 2011.
It might have looked a beater in the catalog, but that
was down to the “barn-find” photography, which was
artfully shot in moody light. Bonhams does market its
star cars well.
Once you got up close, it was actually dead straight
and not rotten, probably thanks to having been put away
for so long. Obviously the paint had deteriorated, but
the body and chassis were solid. The motor and gearbox
were lightly corroded and only standing in loosely, having
been removed for a rebuild, but I reckon you could
have put back in the motor—maybe with new rings and
bearings—and gearbox, changed the fluids and rubbers,
wiped it over with an oily rag and driven it—and
I would have.
They're only original once.
Even the original exhausts were in usable shape—
and displayed behind the car. Okay, the interior needed
redoing, but, along with a growing number of “restorat”
enthusiasts, I would love to have been able to drive
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Vantage-spec
Convertible
Lot 339, s/n DB4C/1075/R
Condition 1Sold
at $364,323
Bonhams, Newport Pagnell, U.K., 5/9/09
SCM# 120445
Lot 333, s/n DB4C/1108/R
Condition 1
Sold at $823,815
Bonhams, Newport Pagnell, U.K., 5/21/11
SCM# 179421
1963 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible
Lot 132 s/n DB4C/1102/R
Condition 1
Sold at $314,868
Bonhams, Newport Pagnell, 5/13/06
SCM# 41959
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this car as-is for a while.
The engine and gearbox were out because the owner had
removed them in 1980 intending to rebuild the engine (370/472),
which is a replacement for the original (370/1134). The motor
would need a strip-down to ensure nothing had seized—and to
complete the rebuild the Professor intended—but it was missing
no ancillaries, although the radiator wants renewing, as it suffered
a few dings, probably in the engine-removal process.
The seat leather had completely dried out, but it might come
back with careful treatment—apart from a hole in the passenger
seat. However, the seats as-is would look wrong in a newly
restored car, and the carpets were beyond saving. The dash and
instruments were all complete, and the top looked serviceable,
as it certainly opens, clips to the windscreen and folds again.
One neglected—but rare—car
So this car, though neglected, had not been molested or
poorly restored. Remember, with only 70 built, six fewer than
the legendary DB4GT, there's only one David Brown-era Aston
that's rarer than the DB4 convertible and that's the DB4GT
Zagato.
Although new Zagato copy/continuations pop up from time
to time, Aston won't be making any more DB4s, and this must be
one of the most original. In a day and age when this counts for so
much, that it wasn't perfect didn't seem so important.
What mattered more is that it hadn't been got at—or restored
wrongly—allowing the new owner and restorer the luxury of a
blank, but completely original canvas—and a fairly awesome
responsibility. A nice touch was Professor Blackman's St John's
College car park pass (issued 1970), reading: “Authority to
park in the President's drive,” still attached to the inside of the
windshield, which one hopes can be carefully retained. Given
that its only two owners were Oxford dons, its original “WL”
registration from the city was a nice touch too, although there is
no guarantee it can be retained.
Worth the price of admission
Now to the money. Deep breath, but I don't think it looks out
of order. Bonhams estimated the car before sale at $130,000 to
$225,000, but the talk in the room (and at Monaco the day before) was that it could
reach $400,000. Which it did—and then some—hitting a hammer price of £270,000
($434,000). After reported pre-sale interest from America, it sold to the Middle East.
As we have seen from previous DB Aston Martin
profiles, a total Works Service restoration on a
Superleggera Aston, by the company if not the actual
personnel who made it in the first place,
costs up to $350,000 if the car needs everything.
And this one didn't need as much. So
if you added most of that cost to the auction
price, you arrive at around $800,000, which
is what a pristine similar car (although a 4.2
Vantage-engined former concours winner)
four chassis numbers away sold for in the
same sale—with a less interesting history.
So I reckon the sums do add up.
If the numbers do look a bit daunting
following the relentless rise of the DB5 and
all other DB Astons behind it over the last
five years, I think it means these cars are
slowly catching up with Ferraris. Okay, the
Italians have twice the number of cylinders,
but in rarity, performance and cachet—and
in reflecting their respective national identities—the
cars are broadly equivalent. Which
begs one last question: Why are 1960s
Maseratis—the “Italian Aston Martin” and
Aston Martin's nearest mechanical equivalent—still
so cheap? ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of
Bonhams.)
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59

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times they lacked an actual interior and certainly had no means of motive power.
These models provided glimpses into futuristic travel using solar/hydrogen/plant
waste/nuclear power—and boasted humidity-sensing automatic four-place bubble
tops and multi-function steering stalk/ gearshift/ in-car entertainment centers.
Marcello Gandini's Stratos HF Zero at first glance looks to be clearly the latter,
with its ultra-low, extreme shape, tilt-up windshield for entry and sidesaddle instrument
panel. But, that windshield actually does tilt up, and once inside the Zero, a turn
of the key fires up the DOHC V4 engine, and you can drive off across town. It's the
future come to vivid life.
A shining light
While the Stratos Zero is considered the progenitor of the multi-championship
winning Stratos HF rally and road car which followed, it's obvious that they share
naught save for the name, mid-engine configuration and designer. But what the running
prototype did do was to shine a spotlight on the Lancia brand at a time when
Fiat management was giving a very wary eye to its recent acquisition and looking to
determine its direction.
Pierugo Gobbato, appointed head of Lancia after Fiat's purchase, was not hope-
ful about much he observed in the company. Slow sales, an over-assorted, well-designed—but
aging—line of products and hardly anything in the development pipeline.
Another, less imaginative executive would probably have advised management to cut
their losses and fold the brand. Instead, Gobbato did something few of us would do
in the situation. He looked at what was going right with the company, which was the
competition department. Lancia was winning regularly with the Fulvia in rallies, but
it was also the time when rally cars began to move away from modified production
models to specially designed and built creations.
When Gobbato saw the Stratos Zero, he knew at once that this ultra-low, compact,
mid-engined car was an avenue to be explored. Bertone's visit to the Lancia Corse
facility and the examination and driving of the Zero done that day quickly established
that a less-radical solution than the Zero needed to be found, but it also convinced the
team that unconventional thinking would be necessary in developing the car which
would become the Stratos HF.
An icon of the 1970s
The Zero is very much a period artifact. After the voluptuous curves of the 1960s,
the drama of the Wedge Era at the start of the 1970s was striking. Suddenly, every
stylist had burned his set of French curves and taken a graduate course in origami.
Among the motor show and magazine cover stars of the era, such as the Maserati
Boomerang, Lamborghini Marzal and Countach, the Stratos Zero is a leading player—
a true piece of unique motorized fine art. I encountered
this spaceship on wheels in 2006, when attending the
100th anniversary celebration for Lancia in Turin, Italy.
An evening reception was held in the courtyard of Italy's
equivalent to West Point in the heart of the city. In the
center of the courtyard—copper paint glowing under
spotlights—was the Stratos Zero. Nothing prepared me
for the presence this very small and very low car had.
It was effortlessly evil, beautiful and strong all at once.
Bertone bankruptcy forces sale
So, how did this icon of the time come to the open
market for the first time in its life? Those of us in the
appraisal trade find much of our business in the area
of “transitions,” which is the lovely euphemism for the
“Three D” speed bumps which punctuate our lives:
Death, Divorce, and Debt. It's usually not a happy time
for the client, but it is also more than occasionally an opportunity
for someone to obtain property which has long
been out of the market. The dramas, both business- and
family-related which have sadly surrounded the onceproud
design and manufacturing company Bertone are
not worth recounting here. Just do a Google search for
“Bertone, fights, bankruptcy” and you'll get the facts—
if not the uniquely Italian flavor and color of the soap
opera which has led to the end of the company founded
by Giovanni Bertone and built by his son Nuccio.
The most dramatic fallout of this unfortunate situa-
tion was the forced liquidation of cars and automobilia
from the Bertone Collection.
In an unusually astute and rarely seen move, the
bankruptcy administrator simply didn't put an ad in the
back pages of the newspaper “La Stampa” announcing
a tent sale to be held at the Turin airport. While a
sealed-bid auction tender was put out for a number of
cars and the automobilia of the collection, the top cars
were plucked from the gloom in advance to be offered by
RM Auctions at their inaugural sale at the prestigious
Concorso d'Eleganza Ville d'Este on Italy's Lake Como.
For maximizing value, a better deci-
sion can scarcely be imagined. Every
creditor looking to find blood in stones
would give their warehouse padlocks
for an opportunity such as this. And the
results didn't disappoint. Spectacular
one-off jewels, such as the Lamborghini
Marzal, Athon and Bravo were among
the cars that realized nearly $4.5m.
One quarter of that total was the
1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero. As someone
who seeks to determine value in rare
objects, I keenly feel the challenge which
faced RM in establishing the auction estimates
for this car, for the comparables
exist only in theory. The Zero sale result,
even at a bit over half the low estimate,
is one of
the highest ever obtained at
auction for a Lancia-badged vehicle. At
that, I would absolutely call this car well
bought; it has importance to a storied
marque, is a style icon of its time from
the pen of a legendary designer—and it
is a functioning vehicle, sold for the first
time from its creator. ♦
(Vehicle description courtesy of RM
Auctions.)
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Etceterini & Friends Profile
The Cumberford Perspective
Of all the outstanding designs accomplished by the Nuccio Bertone-Marcello
Gandini team, the Stratos HF Zero has to be the most extraordinary
By Robert Cum
M
y fa
conc
ing
the a
tonishing Lan
Stratos HF Zer
about Nuccio B
driving it
2
to the
factory for a m
to discuss buil
ini & Friends Profile
The Cumberford Perspective
Of all the outstanding designs accomplished by the Nuccio Bertone-Marcello
Gandini team, the Stratos HF Zero has to be the most extraordinary
By Robert Cum
M
y fa
conc
ing
the a
tonishing Lan
Stratos HF Zer
about Nuccio B
driving it
2
to the
factory for a m
to discuss buil
Stratos
Stratos rally ca
by gate guards at t
Bertone issued a
“Countach!”—an
under the barrie
ground-bound U
fully functional c
daily-driver tran
33 inches it's low e
Ford's GT40 see
like alongside it.
Shaped like a w
chisel in front, t
simple enough to l
it was machined f
an Apple MacBook—yet complex
and subtle enough to be a work of
sculptural art worthy of Brancusi.
Yet it's functional in every detail.
The black rubber panel on the
nose is a step to make entering
easier, and a hydraulic system
allows the steering column to
be pushed forward to open the
windshield/door, and close the lid
when pulled back to driving position.
For ventilation, upper side
windows slide into the bodywork,
but they are much too low for toll
booths.
The
space-capsule
interior
with individual chocolate tablet
cushions in the reclining fixed
seats remains perfectly contemporary,
even to the airbagready
steering wheel
hub.
Marcello Gandini invented
his own iPad electronic instrument
panel 41 years ago,
yet another indication of how
far ahead of its time was this
magnificent work of art, as
dramatic a show car as has
ever been achieved. ♦
1
6
5
4
3
FRONT 3/4 VIEW
The cathedral-like rear grille
1
is at once a discrete architectural
element,—pure decoration—and a
completely functional way to ventilate
the engine compartment.
2 The windshield, door and lid are
powerful graphic elements pointing
forward—as do all the lines of
Stratos Zero.
3 With this abrupt transverse
straight line, Gandini was the
complete opposite of his Carrozzeria
Bertone predecessor Franco
Scaglione, who aimed for a totally
rounded plan view.
4 Some of the most artful surfacing
ever seen, as the horizontal hood
morphs into pointed side sections
punctuated by squared windows and
subtle air inlet openings.
5 The side glass pieces are separated
by a side peak rib, assuring that they
each have a strong horizontal component,
which is emphasized by lines in
the transparencies.
6 The side surfaces within the area
described by a sharp cut line are
pushed inward away from the peak
rib, thereby opening natural openings
for cooling air at the rear.
REAR 3/4 & SIDE VIEW
Side profile peaks above the
7
recumbent driver's head, falling
away more sharply and over a longer
distance in front than behind the
point of (minimal) maximum height,
which is just 33 inches.
8 As close to a blade as anyone has
ever achieved on the front end of
a car. It's extreme, yes, yet seems
perfectly normal on this exotic shape.
9 This strong line does not aim
toward the frontal blade, but rather
to a theoretical point above the
hood surface, but again, it all seems
7
12
11
62
10
9
8
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13
14
perfectly natural, nothing you'd want
to alter in any way.
10 The perfect Gandini wheel open-
ing, used on many cars, but on none
of them as well as here.
11 The rear tires and the exposed
mechanical beneath the car recall
Formula One practice at the time,
allowing the minimalist bodywork
at the rear to complete the painted
forms visually.
12 Sharp edges abound on the
abbreviated rear panel, and lamps
are concealed behind. The whole is
racy, totally improbable—and totally
convincing. Truly a masterwork.
13
INTERIOR VIEWS
Individual block cushions could be
tailored to spread loads on the body,
as in an astronaut's couch.
14 Shades of the Isetta, as the steer-
ing column moves for entry, but
this is more dramatic and far more
aesthetically satisfying.
15 Lines etched in the glass provide
a formal continuity to the opaque
surfaces they replace.
16 Flat-screen instrumentation is
common today, especially in aircraft,
but was highly imaginative and innovative
in 1970.
17 Airbags existed in 1970, but it is
unlikely that they were foreseen for
this car. But the large surface area of
the hub was a positive safety element.
15
16
17
August 2011
63

Collecting Thoughts Bertone Prototype Sale
SCM
Digital Bonus
1963 Chevrolet Testudo—$479k
The list goes on and on.
Founded in 1912, Bertone's heyday ran from the 1950s until the 1980s. Once both
design studio and small-scale contract manufacturer, (recall the Bertone Volvo 262C
coupe, and the Bertone X1/9), modern mass-production requirements sadly diminished
the role for Bertone and its ilk. Due to massive front-end manufacturing costs—
coupled with modern regulatory obstacles—such firms, if they have survived at all,
are now largely relegated to design and engineering consulting.
After years of unprofitability, Bertone went through a bankruptcy in 2008. A forced
split in 2009 into a design firm, Bertone Stile, and a manufacturing entity, Bertone
Carrozzeria—which was subsequently sold to Fiat—resulted in the bankruptcy commission
seizing some of the material assets of the design studio, such as drawings,
photographs and some 90 prototype vehicles. Ultimately, Bertone Stile was able to
reacquire the majority of the cars, but the six most valuable were slated for sale by the
trustee. These were the cars sold on May 21.
Prior to the sale, there was an attempt to preserve these automobiles as representa-
tive of Italy's great design heritage through a donation to the National Automobile
Museum in Turin. This was not to be, and the auction proceeded.
Which brings us to the nub of the issue: What will be the fate of these cars? I
doubt that any of these concepts will see significant
use as a driving automobile. The very nature of styling
exercises—with their lack of serious functional
development—places them firmly in the contemplative
category. We walk around these things in wonder while
they are parked on a lawn somewhere, or under glamorous
lighting within the hushed confines of a museum.
As a significant part of the Italian design revolution of
the 1960s, Bertone's early adoption of wedge-shaped
and geometric styling themes places them at the apex of
that period's international modern idiom. As such, these
six cars are more than just “rolling sculpture” for casual
display.
Great architecture, furniture—and cars
Automobiles in their finest incarnation eloquently
attest to the highest aspirations of the human mind and
spirit. Just as do the finest architecture, furniture, and
other applied arts, the greatest automobiles have the
power to inspire and raise our perceptions of the possible.
As Roland Barthes, the French literary theorist
and philosopher wrote, “I think that cars today are almost
the exact equivalent of the great gothic cathedrals:
I mean the supreme creation of an era…”
We would like to think of important cultural objects,
such as these six cars, being held safe in institutional
hands, where they would function together as a resource
for scholars, researchers, designers and the interested
public. Yet, we need to acknowledge that much of the
world's automotive heritage resides in private hands—
as did much of the world's fine art heritage less than 200
years ago.
1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero—$1.08m
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Collecting Thoughts Bertone Prototype Sale
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home that is recognized as one of the supreme achievements
of an important architect? At the least, such a
scenario should give us pause.
Let's come back to our six cars from the Bertone
archive. Cars that are bought by careful and considerate
owners and preserved for long terms in appropriate
conditions ultimately rise to become recognized as
exceptional objects—if only for their age and condition.
Cars that are more special when new are even more
special later.
Conversely, cars that fall into the hands of those with
1974 Lamborghini Bravo—$839k
Ultimately, in like manner, the great automobiles will eventually come to be col-
lected in institutions where future generations may come to marvel and to receive
inspiration. However distant, the day is coming when our great old cars will no longer
be able to take to the open, public roads with the abandon they can today. Much like
the dawn-of-motoring veterans we see on the London to Brighton Run, they will no
longer function in modernity without special dispensation.
What does the “owner/custodian” role mean for the owners of such world heritage
cars today? On the one hand, our very liberty is inextricably entwined with the concept
of the right to property. Owners of property have the right to treat—or mistreat—their
property as they see fit.
However, there is a countervailing ethic that recognizes the universal value of cer-
tain special objects. These objects are part of our cultural heritage as civilized people,
and, when one of these objects is lost or destroyed, our culture is likewise diminished
and impoverished. A thought experiment asks, “Is it permissible to throw darts at a
Rembrandt you privately own?” Said another way, what are the ethics of remodeling a
the hobbyist mentality that the object is secondary to
their ego tend to become sadly diminished. So, while
we might have hoped that these cars would have gone as
a group into an institution where they could be guaranteed
appropriate treatment, there is still much cause for
hope. Such cars are becoming commonly recognized as
important, and consequently, worthy of respect.
Stanford University's new Stanford Revs Project is
creating an academic center for the cross-disciplinary
humane studies of the automobile. In addition, the proliferation
of automobile museums with serious charters
and policies and the whole automobile preservation
movement means that these six cars have a very good
chance of being cosseted in the bosom of individual collections
where—either now or in the future—they will
be accessible to students and researchers.
Given the world design heritage represented by the
Bertone Collection, all the cars were well bought. ♦
1978 Lancia Sibilo—$135k
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Page 68

German Profile
1957 Porsche 356A 1600S “Super” Speedster
The higher-horsepower Super engine, which was a $400 uptick in 1957,
would be a plus for this car, but it is a replacement
by Prescott Kelly
Details
Years produced: 356s 1948–1965;
Speedsters 1954–1958
Number produced: 78,000-plus for all
356s, and 841 1957 Speedsters
Original list price: In June, 1957: Normal
engine $3,371, Super engine $3,771,
Carrera $5,371
SCM Valuation: $92,500–$130,000
Tune-up cost: $300–$600
Distributor cap: $12.95
Chassis #: Plate beside gas tank on
passenger side
Engine #: On engine case under generator
stand facing rearward
Club: 356 Registry, P.O. Box 356,
Stillwater, MN 55082
More: www.356registry.org
Alternatives: 1957 Jaguar XK 140, 1957
Alfa Romeo 1300, 1957 Austin-Healey
100/6
SCM Investment Grade: B
Comps
only celebrating its eighth anniversary. The evolution of
the Porsche 356 was swift and further impelled not only
by Porsche's drive for technical improvement but also
by the realities of commercial success.
The Speedster's origins are well-known—built at
B
the insistence of the legendary Max Hoffman, Porsche's
U.S. importer.
Hoffman recognized the special needs of the U.S.
market and encouraged—if not coerced—his European
partners into building specific models to meet them.
The Speedster was one of the most famous and successful
fruits of Hoffman's effort.
It was a Spartan, purpose-built sporting machine
with minimal equipment. Priced at $2,995 to East Coast
ports of entry, the seats were skimpy, the mostly-useless
top tiny, and the car dispensed with the luxury of rollup
windows.
As compared to the 356, the new Speedsters in-
cluded a revised windshield that significantly lowered
the look of the car. A chrome strip down the side of the
car was also added, and gone were unnecessary items,
such as an effective top. Instrumentation had been
reworked to only three dials: speedometer, oil temperature
and optional tachometer. Seating was also changed
with the addition of bucket seats with little mobility.
70
y 1956, the Porsche 356 had been continually
developed into one of the world's most respected
sports cars. This feat was quite remarkable
considering that Porsche as a company was
Nevertheless, these cars looked great and were even
more exciting and fun to drive. With the reduced weight
from eliminating many trim items, the experience of
driving a Speedster was remarkably different from the
standard Cabriolet.
According to the Kardex, this was in fact a true
“Super Speedster.” The car offered here has been garaged
and covered in a climate-controlled environment
since a full and complete restoration in 2002.
The pan-up overhaul preceded a return to a
concours-correct original exterior and interior color
combination. With fewer than 2,000 careful break-in
miles on the new, Shasta-built C engine since restoration,
no mechanical aspect of the car was overlooked. In
addition to being a Super, this Speedster featured quite
a few unusual options, including comfortable leather
coupe seats, tonneau cover and one outside mirror on
the driver's side.
SCM Analysis This Speedster, Lot 68, sold for
$162,500,
including buyer's pre-
mium, at Worldwide Auctioneers' sale in Seabrook, TX,
on April 30, 2011.
Porsche Speedsters were built in limited numbers
between 1954 and 1958, with total production estimated
at 5,662 examples of all varieties. The 1,900 19541955
examples were built in the “Pre-A” series, when
Porsche mechanicals more resembled highly modified
Volkswagen technology. The 356A, introduced in
1956 356A Speedster
Lot W705, s/n 81212
Condition 2
Not sold at $112,000
Auctions America by RM, Auburn, IN,
9/2/10
SCM# 166261
Sports Car Market
1956 Porsche 356A Speedster
Lot 332, s/n 82488
Condition 2Sold
at $182,471
Bonhams, Sussex, U.K., 9/17/10
SCM# 166145
1956 Porsche 356A Speedster
Lot 518, s/n 82642
Condition 1-
Not sold at $132,813
Bonhams, Brooklands, U.K., 12/6/10
SCM# 168191
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Page 69

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September 1955 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, changed much of that perception with an
all-new suspension, updated bodywork and trim, and larger displacement engines.
In the 356A incarnation, Speedsters became more popular—especially for racing
in the United States, where 216 pounds of weight savings really paid off. Porsche built
about 3,762 Speedsters for the 1956-58 model years. The cars came with three engine
options: Street cars were powered with the typical single camshaft, pushrod 1582-cc
engine (called “1600”) in Normal 60-horsepower and Super 75-horsepower variants.
The famous Ernst Fuhrmann-designed “four-cam” Carrera engine in several dif-
ferent variants powered the high-performance models. Most Carrera Speedsters carried
Type 547 engines of 1498cc, developing between 100 and 115 horsepower. These
engines were famous—perhaps notorious—for their roller-bearing crankshafts.
They worked well for high-revving race use, but not so well in street use, where the
lugging away from stops induced heavy wear, and ultimately, failure.
The street Carreras were referred to as GS and had full street trim. Carrera GTs,
on the other hand, were intended for racing. Porsche tuned them for more horsepower
and dropped as much weight as possible, with stripped interiors and aluminum
panels for the doors at first—then also for hoods and engine lids later on.
In 1959, the factory built a few remaining Speedsters as so-called “GS/GT”
Speedsters with Type 692 1588-cc engines, many of them plain-bearing engines.
These were a whole different breed of Speedster, and current prices amplify the
differences. Today, GS Speedsters run between $350,000 and $500,000; early GT
Speedsters are between $500,000 and $650,000; and 1959 GS/GTs are between
$650,000 and $750,000.
An expert mistake
The street pushrod-engined Speedsters had a deservedly bad reputation for crea-
ture comfort in their day. So, most were sold into warm-weather climates, especially
California and the Southwest, where they were favored by racers, engineers, and U.S.
servicemen returning from Europe.
As late as the early 1980s, “experts” recommended cabriolets over Speedsters,
as the cabs have roll-up windows, thick padded tops, and cushy seats. Woe to all of
us who heeded that advice. Starting in the mid-1980s, Speedsters began an inexorable
climb in desirability and price, culminating just a few years ago when the best
pushrod street Speedsters climbed to $250,000 and above. Today, the market has
definitely settled, and those $250,000 Speedsters of yesteryear are typically now a
tad under $200,000.
A driver's pluses and minuses
The 1957 Speedster from Worldwide's Texas Auction
appears to be a nicely turned-out driver, with some
obvious dings for valuation. The plus factors include
an apparently straight body with generally good gaps.
The interior is attractively turned out and in good
condition. The car's color combination of silver over
black is reported to match the factory build sheet, as
does the desirable presence (originally) of the higherhorsepower
Super engine, which was a $400 uptick in
1957.
Additional options reported to be on the Kardex in-
cluded a tonneau cover, an outside mirror, coupe seats,
and side spear trim. The car is a European model with
no bumper overriders and a kilometer speedometer.
Some buyers prefer the chrome U.S. overriders, while
others prefer the leaner, cleaner Euro look. The car has
a proper Aero outside mirror.
On the negative side, it would appear that a previ-
ous owner added an under-the-dash radio, ashtray and
a deluxe full horn ring. These add-ons do not harm
the integrity of the car, so such minor tweaks can be
side-stepped. Not so minor is the engine swap to a later,
C type engine. The addition of chrome wheels is passable
if they are originals with proper date stamps—but
much less so in the more likely event they are the common
reproductions.
The coupe seats, favored only by those whose der-
rieres will not happily mate with Speedster buckets, are
also a ding on desirability—but a little less on value
because the car was delivered with them. The running
gear is in driver condition—it is not cleaned or
detailed—and the engine has presentation flaws such
as mismatched accessories, wrong colors, and missing
decals.
No Bondo, please
The crux of the matter is
the body. A first-rate Speedster
should have all-original body
panels, no wreck repairs, no
Bondo, and certainly no coats
of polyester spray filler. The
trend today is to use polyester
spray filler instead of working
the metal; it is much easier,
quicker, and cheaper for restoration
shops. It can even look
quite good if the lines are well
sculpted out of all that plastic. I
view Bondo and polyester spray
filler as deal killers.
Collectors should always
evaluate Porsche 356s with
magnets or paint meters in hand.
Please repeat: “It's all about the
sheet metal.”
The net? If this car is all
metal, and despite the engine
swap and coupe seats, we'll rate
it a fair deal for both sides. If a
magnet doesn't stick,
then the
needle tips in favor of the seller. ♦
(Introductory
courtesy of Worldwide.)
SCM Digital Bonus. Additional Seat Times, images and more...
August 2011
71
description

Page 70

American Car Collector Profile
1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 COPO Coupe
The car was wildly successful on the track, but it wasn't a big seller, as few
could afford the wallet-crushing sticker price of $7,300
by Dale Novak
Details
Year produced: 1969
Number produced: 69 (plus 2 prototypes)
Original list price: $7,300 (prices varied
based on options)
SCM Valuation: $350,000–$400,000
Tune-up cost: $300
Distributor cap: $25
Chassis #: Driver side dash visible under
windshield
Engine #: Pad on passenger side of
engine forward of cylinder head
Club: www.yenko.net
More: www.camaros.org
Alternatives:
1969–1970 Ford Boss 429 Mustang
1967–1969 Yenko 427 Camaro
1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt
SCM Investment Grade: A
Comps
Chassis number: 124379N634918
I
n 1969, Chevy performance guru Vince Piggins
took direct aim at NHRA's Super Stock and Pro
Stock classes. His weapon of choice was the allaluminum;
Sixty-nine cars were built, four of which were finished
in Dover White. This is production number 53,
big-block powered ZL-1 Camaro.
the
only Dover White ZL-1 equipped with the M22 “Rock
Crusher” 4-speed.
The car was titled only once—to COPO guru Ed
Cunneen. It was raced in NHRA Pro Stock in 1969-70
and was an NHRA record holder. It has also been in the
collections of Floyd Garrett and Robert Lyle. Restored
by Floyd Garrett at his famous museum, the car is correctly
finished throughout, including a correct ZL-1
replacement block, Cowl Induction hood, heavy duty
4-core radiator with curved neck, transistorized ignition,
4.10 Positraction rear end and chambered exhaust.
It runs and drives as new—and remains one of the most
thrilling machines ever produced by Chevrolet.
The specs:
• COPO 9560 ZL-1 Camaro
• #53 of 69 built, plus two prototypes
• Dover White with standard black interior
• M22 Rock Crusher close-ratio transmission
• COPO 9560 options, including functional
cowl hood, HD 4-core radiator with
curved neck, transistorized ignition and
Hi Performance rear end
• Drag raced since 1969
• Correct replacement ZL-1 block
• Period photos
• ET time slips from drag strip
• Chambered exhaust system
• Runs and drives as well as any new ZL-1 Camaro
• Formerly from the Floyd Garret Muscle Car
Museum
72
SCM Analysis This car, Lot S199, sold for
$323,300,
including buyer's pre-
mium, at the Mecum Auction in Indianapolis, IN, on
Saturday, May 21, 2011.
In 1969, Big Three corporate-assisted racing was
reaching a fevered pitch, albeit clandestine in nature.
The mantra of Win on Sunday and Sell on Monday was
more than a catchy phrase—it was good for business.
There were bragging rights at stake, and even if the top
brass were not entirely on board due to pending insurance
and emissions issues, there were plenty of dealers
and performance managers dreaming up ways to spank
the competition.
Don Yenko was a Canonsburg, PA, dealer with high
octane running through his blood. With inspiration
from drag racer Dick Harrell (aka Mr. Chevrolet),
Yenko started assembling the so-called “Supercars.”
He had already been wrenching on Corvairs and racing
Corvettes, but his vision to build the 1967 Yenko
Camaro would put him on the map with the very first
out-of-the-box Camaro built specifically to hit the drag
strip—even if that meant doing the 427-ci engine swap
at his dealership.
By 1968, demand was so strong for the race-ready
Camaro that Yenko called on Chevrolet to deliver
Camaros with the 427-ci engine already installed.
Yenko used a Central Office Production Order—aka
COPO—to get around Chevrolet's performance limits
and deliver the compact, light Camaro with a firebreathing
427 under the hood.
These special orders were normally reserved for fleet
vehicles, such as taxi cabs, so they could be ordered with
bare-bones equipment or a special-use chassis. These
powerful COPO Camaros were nothing you'd ever find
on the retail floor of your local Chevrolet dealer—or
1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 COPO
Lot 249, s/n 124379N643047
Condition 2+
Sold at $418,000
RM Auctions, Gainesville, GA, 11/13/10
SCM# 168405
1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 COPO
Lot X20, s/n 124379N609510
Condition 1
Sold at $840,000
Mecum, St. Charles, IL, 10/14/05
SCM# 39570
1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 COPO
Lot S558.1, s/n 124379N620923
Condition 1-
Not sold at $650,000
Mecum, Belvidere, IL, 5/25/06
SCM# 41799
Sports Car Market
Photos: Mecum Auctions

Page 72

American Car Collector Profile
in any taxi cab. Yenko's tactic was successful, and these special-order cars are now
known in the muscle car world as the COPO 9561 and COPO 9737 Yenko Camaros.
Enter Fred Gibb—through the back door
Fred Gibb, a drag racer and Chevrolet Dealer based in La Harpe, IL, was well
aware of Yenko's success. So, Gibb was ready when Chevrolet perfected the new
ZL-1 all-aluminum, 427-ci, 430-horsepower engine (properly modified, the actual
horsepower rating was 500-plus) in 1968. With the assistance of GM Vice President
Pete Estes (who was instrumental in developing the Camaro Z/28 along with Vince
Piggens), Gibbs had the novel idea of ordering 50 of the ZL-1 beasts using the same
back-door COPO delivery process that Yenko used so effectively. These cars would
become known as the COPO 9560s.
A few other dealers also caught wind of the loophole tactic and ordered 19 ad-
ditional 9560s, bringing the total number of ZL-1 COPOs to 69. It has also been reported
that Chevrolet built two additional prototype regular production order (RPO)
ZL-1 Camaros.
Race on Sunday, can't sell it on Monday
The COPOs wouldn't come cheap. As the story goes, Gibbs was under the expec-
tation that the 50 ZL-1s would add about $2,000 to the base cost of each Camaro.
Gibbs assumed it would be easy to pass the additional cost on to eager would-be
racers who were thirsty for a Camaro that could run the quarter mile in 11.64 seconds
at 122 mph—with open headers—right off the showroom floor. Unfortunately, a
new Chevrolet pricing policy ratcheted up the radical performance option to $4,160,
bringing the total cost to a staggering $7,300 for a bare-bones, drag-race-ready
Camaro—which was about $1,100 more than a decked-out Corvette L88 Coupe.
Although the car was wildly successful on the track, it didn't perform nearly so
well on the showroom floor. Very few could afford the wallet-crushing price tag and
Gibbs ended up sending many of the cars back to Chevrolet so they could be dispersed
through other dealers. Most dealers quickly learned what Gibbs already knew—the
car was sale-proof—so many of the 69 Camaros were dismantled, reconfigured or
sold at steep discounts just to move them off the lot.
When we look at the performance-pounding muscle cars of the late 1960s era,
much of the rarity that is so valuable today is a result of cars that were far too expensive
when new, which simply doomed sales.
SCM
Digital Bonus
First-tier muscle, first-tier ownership
The low production number of 69 total COPO
ZL-1s—coupled with the blistering performance and
great styling of the first generation Camaro—equates
to a glorious, investment-grade muscle car. The VIN
numbers of all 69 COPO ZL-1 Camaros are well known,
and there are plenty of experts with the ability to verify
the real cars from the fakes, frauds and fowl.
Our subject car was titled only once—and by no
other than the foremost authority on these cars, Ed
Cunneen, who is the go-to guy for verifying and authenticating
COPOs. Cunneen is to COPOs as Galen Govier
is to Mopars. His seal of approval is indisputable, and
the fact that he was the one and only titled owner of
chassis #634918 adds to the bulletproof authenticity of
our subject car.
COPO #53 also comes with a solid racing history,
and was reported be a National Hot Rod Association
(NHRA) record holder, which only adds to its mystique,
provenance and credibility. COPO #53 is the real deal,
not like most COPOs, which left the lot to be retuned
with open headers, stripped of any extra weight (which
was pretty tough to do) then straddled with a fat set of
“Sticky Mickeys” mounted to the rear to hook all that
monster rear-wheel horsepower to the track.
COPO #53 has also been noted to formerly reside in
the collections of Floyd Garrett and Robert Lyle, two
well-known collectors. Mr. Lyle was also the original
selling Chevrolet dealer, which again, adds to the bulletproof
ownership trail. Adding to that, #53 was also
restored by Floyd Garrett for his Muscle Car Museum
in Sevierville, TN. The car's impeccable restoration included
an incredibly hard-to-source ZL-1 replacement
block. It was also the only Dover White COPO fitted
with the M22 “Rock Crusher” transmission out of the
three (only three, as the Mecum
description of
according to my sources) Dover
White Camaros originally built.
According to published re-
cords, our subject car was shipped
new to Robert Lyle Chevrolet
in
Cuyahoga, OH, and noted as the
53rd COPO built out of
the 69
produced, which means it was
not part of the original Gibbs
order, but rather one of the 19
additional cars sent to various
dealerships throughout the U.S. It
came equipped, as ordered, with
the aforementioned M22 transmission,
D80 Spoiler, U63 AM Radio,
ZJ7 Rally Wheels, and finished in
Dover White. This is exactly as the
car sits today, which is very nice
to see.
A powerful bargain
This terrific, living artifact
of a bygone chapter in American
automotive history appears to be
stunning in its presentation. The
restoration was thoughtful and
professionally executed. The history
and ownership are rock-solid
and airtight. The original engine
SCM Digital Bonus. Additional images and more...
74
Sports Car Market
four is incorrect,

Page 73

was replaced by a correct ZL-1 block, which is
as good as it gets for a thrasher muscle car that
was never designed to last much more than a
few years after it was sold. It all adds up to a
first-class, first-tier, gold-standard investmentgrade
collectible muscle car.
Drive this car
Considering a record price of $840,000 was
achieved for another well-known, documented
COPO (Gibbs #18), in October, 2005—and that
another ZL-1 COPO from the Robson Collection
sold for $418,000 in November of 2010 (SCM
March 2011, p.74)—we can surely consider #53
as well bought, even with the knowledge that
top-tier muscle has softened in recent years.
The new owner should relish in the history,
performance and distinct rumble that only a
big-block, throaty V8 can expel. He should
enjoy the car, as carefully as he can, for its
intended purpose—which means roaring down
a local track for a trip down memory lane. I
guarantee that a goofy, ear-to-ear grin will be
impossible to subdue. Finally, as a side note to
the new owner, if you do decide to fire her up for
a test flight down the quarter mile, call me, I‘m
calling shotgun right now. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of Mecum
Auctions.)
August 2011
75

Page 74

Race Car Profile
1976/1983 Ferrari 308 GTB Group B Michelotto
It's definitely a Ferrari, but the factory never built it. It looks like a road car
but could never be used as one
by Thor Thorson
Details
Years built: 1978–1985
Number built: 15
Original list price: Unknown
SCM Valuation: $400,000–$500,000
Cost per hour to race: $1,000
Chassis #: Above right rear shock mount
Engine #: Above water pump
Club: Historic Rally Car Register
More: www.hrcr.co.uk
Alternatives:
1984 Porsche 911
1984 Audi Quattro
1973–1976 Lancia Stratos
SCM Investment Grade: B
Comps
I
ntroduced at the Paris Salon in 1975, the stunningly
beautiful 308 GTB—Ferrari's second V8 road car—
marked a welcome return to Pininfarina styling following
the Bertone-designed Dino 308 GT4. Badged
as a proper Ferrari rather than a Dino, the newcomer had
changed little mechanically, apart from a reduction in
wheelbase. The car retained its predecessor's underpinnings
and transversely mounted 3.0-liter V8 engine that
now featured dry-sump lubrication. Produced initially
with fiberglass bodywork—the first time this material
had been used for a production Ferrari—the Scagliettibuilt
308 used steel exclusively after April 1977. The
first steel-bodied cars were manufactured in 1976, the
change bringing with it a considerable weight penalty
and consequent reduction in performance. Naturally,
anyone wanting to race a 308 GTB started out with the
fiberglass version if they could.
For 1983, the FIA introduced its new Group B regula-
tions for major-league rallying. This innovation saw the
specialist Italian conversion and preparation company
of Michelotto develop a Group B-conforming variant of
Ferrari's very popular and highly successful 308 Gran
Turismo Berlinetta.
Since production of a full batch of 25 highly modi-
fied GTB Evoluzione cars was effectively out of the
question, the specification of these Michelotto Group B
machines incorporated as few changes as possible from
the standard road car, while still providing clients with
rally-winning potential. Michelotto's most significant
development from its previous Group 4-converted cars
was the selection of the Quattrovalvole engine. Even
so, the first Michelotto 308 GTB emerged with the
conventional and reliable two-valve head rather than the
76
latest ‘QV' power unit employed in the following three
cars. Ferrari 308 GTB Michelotto chassis serial 18869,
offered here, was the first of four Group B configuration
cars built by Michelotto from a total of 15 combined
Group B and Group 4 cars that the company modified in
period. It was first completed in February 1983 for the
Pro Motor Sport team in Italy.
These remarkably successful—although relatively
little-publicized—competition Ferraris featured Rosejointed
suspension and uprated Brembo brakes all
around. Three of Michelotto's Group B 308s were fitted
with QV 32-valve engines producing 310 horsepower at
8,000 rpm—after this prototype (chassis 18869) had deployed
the 288-horsepower, two-valve motor. While the
Group 4 variants used mechanical Kugelfischer fuel injection,
the Group B rally variants employed electronic
Bosch K-Jetronic systems. These Group B variants
weighed in around 66 pounds heavier than their racing
counterparts, as they had to retain their stock fiberglass
and steel body paneling.
As the first—and one of the most successful—of this
rare quartet of Michelotto-built Ferrari 308 GTBs, this
is an interesting and significant example of the Ferrari
Berlinetta Competizione breed in 1980s form. As a past
participant in the Tour Auto and other prestigious events,
the car represents a fast and stunning entry ticket.
SCM Analysis This car, Lot 137, sold for $656,190,
including buyer's premium, at the
Bonham's Monaco auction on May 20, 2011.
In order to make any sense of the Michelotto 308
GTB rally cars, I'm going to have to start by tying together
a minor cat's cradle of disparate threads about
Sports Car Market
1983 Lancia Rally 037 Stradale
Lot 253, s/n 162000052
Condition 3Sold
at $302,026
Artcurial, Paris, 2/4/11
SCM# 169041
1976 Ferrari 308 GTB Vetroresina
Lot 127, s/n 19223
Condition 2+
Not sold at $62,500
Bonhams, Monte Carlo, 4/20/10
SCM# 162471
1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale Group 4
Lot 216, s/n 829AR0001008
Condition 3+
Sold at $158,019
Bonhams, Sydney, 12/6/09
SCM# 153280
Photos: Bonhams

Page 75

SCM
Digital Bonus
what was going on in motorsport in that era.
Let's start with FIA rally classes. Through the 1970s
and into the 1980s, the FIA used the category “Group 4”
to identify what were basically production Grand Touring
cars—2-seat coupes with at least 400-car production (think
Porsche 911, Ferrari Daytona, Lancia Stratos). The same
rules applied to both circuit racing and rally cars and were
relatively liberal.
This was a period of very rapid technological develop-
ment, and the cars became so fast that using them on open
roads (rallying) became very dangerous, and there were a
number of fatalities. For the 1983 season, the FIA tried to
address the problem by introducing “Group B” regulations
aimed primarily at rally cars. They were more restrictive
than Group 4 (higher weight, less wheel width, etc.) in an attempt
to slow things down. But in one of those retrospective
“whoopsie” moments, they neglected to control turbo boost.
The result was that the first few years went well, but
developing 4WD technology and effectively unlimited horsepower
quickly created what became known as “Killer B” rally cars—with some horrific
crashes—before the FIA abandoned the whole thing at the end of 1986.
Call Michelotto!
The next thread has to do with Ferrari during this period of time. Fiat bought
Ferrari in 1969, and by the mid-1970s, had fully integrated it into their industrial
empire. Enzo was still around, but he wasn't really calling the shots anymore.
The corporate deal when it came to motorsport was that Lancia did the rallying
(and a bit of prototype endurance racing), Fiat did the saloon racing and a bit of
rallying, and Ferrari did Formula One. That's it. Ferrari did not do sports car or GT
racing (or rallying) on any official level during this era. Certain private customers
were welcome—even encouraged—to carry the Cavallino Rampante flag in competition,
but they were emphatically (or at least officially) doing it on their own.
Outside of Formula One, Ferrari's job was to build and sell fast road cars, and as
the 308 GT4 was developed into the 308 GTB, they were doing an excellent job.
The GTB was still a tube-framed chassis with a body hung onto it; a throwback
in the face of the unibody revolution, but it was a wonderful stiff, light package with
excellent power and superb handling. SCM Ferrari pundit Mike Sheehan comments
that it was one of the few mid-engined designs of the time that could make a mediocre
driver look good.
Ferrari rally enthusiasts reputedly approached Enzo about developing a racing
version of the GTB but were pointedly told that Ferrari was part of a larger group
and was not allowed to be involved in rally cars. On their way out the door they were
advised to contact Michelotto.
A true Ferrari, but not a factory Ferrari
Michelotto started out as a Ferrari dealer in Padova, but a strong instinct for com-
petition caused them to develop an excellent racing shop. The degree of association
with the factory in the early days is open to debate, but
the 308 rally cars they built started on a path that ended
with them being “Ferrari's Tuner,” developing the 288
GTO, the F40, and eventually the 333SP.
With the 308 cars, though, it appears they were
mostly doing it on their own. To start with, the myth of
Ferrari shipping GTB chassis to Michelotto to make
into racers is demonstrably false. A look at the chassis
numbers and build dates makes it obvious that they were
buying wrecked chassis and building them into racers
(sometimes maybe just the titles, as one car carries a
308 GT4 chassis number).
That the 15 Michelotto 308 GTB rally cars are
“real” Ferraris has never been in question, but the suggestion
that they were in some manner associated with
the factory as quasi-official racers is probably pushing
things. They were built into racing cars from wrecks—
or less—in Padova for privateers to enter in what were
fundamentally regional-to-national-level events, where
they proved very competitive.
They are by all accounts wonderful cars to drive,
very fast and forgiving, particularly on the paved roads
that most events utilize. The transaxle was notoriously
fragile as horsepower got over 300, but fixes were devised
and implemented over the years. The important
point here is that these were purpose-built racing cars
created by Michelotto from Ferrari chassis and mechanical
bits—probably with a substantial amount of
Ferrari help—but they are not factory Ferrari racers.
Nor are they anything like a production 308 GTB. They
look like one, but that's all.
This puts them into an interesting netherworld in
terms of both use and value. It's definitely a Ferrari,
but the factory never built it. It looks like a road car
but could never be used as one (it's strictly for track
or European event use like Tour Auto, where they are
spectacular rides). Should the market value it as a true
racing Ferrari or as a privateer hot rod variant on a
$60,000 308 GTB?
In the end, the car is a little bit of everything.
Sheehan considers the sale amount of $656,190 to be
“astonishingly high,” but an owner I spoke with considered
it about right. If you want to run a Ferrari at
the front of any of the major European “Tour” events,
there's probably no cheaper way to do it. So there you
have it, complicated and controversial from beginning
to end, but one heck of a car. I'd say well sold but fairly
bought. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of Bonhams.)
SCM Digital Bonus. Additional images and more...
August 2011
77

Page 76

Market Reports Overview
April and May Auctions Total $99m
Late-spring sales saw some record-breaking prices, thanks to a number of
high-end offerings rarely seen on the market
By Jim Pickering
T
here are few better indications of a solid collector
car market than many high-end consignments
at many auctions. SCM watched a number of
rare and exclusive lots cross the auction block at
several locations throughout April and May. At nearly
every location, auctions bested totals set in 2010, and a
healthy number of new records were achieved, setting
the stage for what looks to be a promising summer auction
season. Here, in the order in which they occurred,
is a rundown of the events that took place in April and
May:
Worldwide's annual Houston Classic auction took
place on April 30, and this year, 95 of 125 lots sold, making
$4.9m. While this was some distance below 2010's
$9m total, Senior Auction Analyst Carl Bomstead noted
that this year's total was actually almost identical to
what was achieved here in 2009, and it's important to
note that last year's event featured an additional 71 cars
from the R.E. Monical Collection. This year's high sale
was a $236k 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6 from the collection
of Phil Silva.
Auctions America by RM hosted its first-ever auc-
tion at the Auburn Auction Park in mid-May, and the
fresh company—and revamped facility—grossed a
combined total of $6.7m from 244 of 424 lots on offer.
Auction Analyst Kevin Coakley noted an eclectic range
of consignments this year, including a 1932 Duesenberg
5-passenger sedan, which was the high sale at $404k.
Mecum's annual Spring Classic auction was held
the weekend of May 17, and 1,249 of 2,021 cars sold for
$48.6m. Senior Auction Analyst B. Mitchell Carlson
noted an increase of 449 consignments over last year—
and a jump in final totals of over $5m from 2010's
$43.3m result. Quite a few rare American muscle cars
crossed the block here, including the 1964 Shelby Cobra
SCM 1-6 Scale
Condition Rating:
1: National concours standard/
perfect
2: Very good, club concours,
some small flaws
3: Average daily driver in decent
condition
4: Still a driver but with some
apparent flaws
5: A nasty beast that runs but
has many problems
6: Good only for parts
78
Sales Totals
$48,607,877
$33,436,750
Mecum Auctions, Indianapolis, IN
RM Auctions, Cernobbio, ITA
Auctions America, Auburn, IN
Worldwide, Seabrook, TX
Bonhams, Monte Carlo, MCO
Bonhams & Butterfields, Port Townsend, WA
$1,455,736
$4,750,205
demonstrator, which made $519k, and a 1971 Hemi 'Cuda with the highest serial number
of any known Hemi 'Cuda. It was the high sale of the weekend at $583k.
Senior Auction Analyst Paul Hardiman traveled to Monaco on May 20 for
Bonhams' annual “Les Grandes Marques à Monaco” event, where 29 of 63 lots traded
hands for $4.7m. This year's event showed improvement over 2010's $3.6m total, but
as Hardiman noted in his report, several of high-end lots stalled on the block. A 1955
Mercedes-Benz 300SL made high sale honors at $803k, while a Ferrari 308 GTB
Group B rally car made $656k (see the profile, p. 138).
Bonhams & Butterfields offered the Don and Lynette Short Collection on May 21,
with a list of consignments mostly consisting of vintage Stutz automobiles, as well
as Locomobile, Mitchell, Pierce-Arrow, and others. Of the 29 cars offered, 24 were
sold, making $1.4m. Auction Analyst Jack Tockston noted a number of world-record
prices here, including the ex-Harrah 1920 Stutz Bearcat that was the highest seller of
the event at $260k.
RM traveled to Cernobbio, Italy for its first ever Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
sale on May 21, and Auction Analyst Jérôme Hardy was there to record 23 of 32 toplevel
consignments selling for $33.5m. As noted in his report, this sale's average price
was $1.4m per lot, which is three times the average value generally seen in Monterey
in August. A 1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta was the top performer, making $4.8m.
Finally, if you've always wanted sports car looks and mud-bogging capabilities,
this month's report on eBay Motors sales should have just the monster 4x4 for you. ♦
Top 10 Sales This Issue
(Land Auctions Only)
1. 1955 Ferrari 375 MM coupe,
$4,794,720—RM, p. 104
2. 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C SS TearDrop,
$4,475,072—RM, p. 102
3. 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC racer, $3,995,600—RM,
p. 104
4. 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder,
$3,596,040—RM, p. 104
5. 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Bertone concept coupe,
$2,157,624—RM, p. 106
6. 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K cabriolet, $1,997,800—RM, p. 102
7. 1939 Delahaye Type 135 MS roadster, $1,118,768—RM, p. 102
8. 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero concept coupe, $1,090,000—RM, p. 106
9. 1957 BMW 507 convertible, $1,038,856—RM, p. 102
10. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB4 coupe, $963,225—RM, p. 106
1. 1931 Minerva 8 AL
convertible sedan,
$751,173—RM, p. 100
2. 1965 Chevrolet Corvette 327/365
coupe, $69,960—Mec, p. 90
3. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6
convertible, $236,500—WWG,
p. 128
4. 1931 Cadillac 355 A, $65,520—
B&B, p. 148
5. 1970 Maserati Indy coupe,
$33,768—Bon, p. 138
Sports Car Market
Best Buys
$6,724,835
$4,957,300

Page 78

Mecum Auctions Indianapolis, IN
24th Annual Spring Classic
Dana and company manage to pull new rabbits out of their hats every year,
and they keep expanding and have the resources to make it work
Company
Mecum Auctions
Date
May 17–22, 2011
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Auctioneer
Mark Delzell, Mike
Hagerman, Jim Landis, Bobby
McGlothlen, Matt Morauec &
Jeff Knox
Automotive lots sold / offered
1,249/2,021
Sales rate
62%
Sales total
$48,607,877
High sale
1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda
2-dr hard top, sold at
$583,000
1963 Shelby Cobra CSX2096 “The Demonstrator” roadster—$519,400
Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson
Market opinion in italics
T
hings just
keep getting bigger at
Mecum's Spring Classic. Nearly all
the statistics for their annual auction
seemed to grow by just a little bit this
year: The number of days in the sale increased
by one, the number of consignments jumped
by over 400, and gross sales grew by over
$5m. This year, the event had become so big
that the auction podium was actually moved
to the next building over at the Indiana State
fairgrounds.
And although growth was the name of
the game this year, 2010's auction featured a more expensive
top sale in the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Harley
Earl convertible that made $980k—but that's not to say
that this year's $583k '71 Hemi ‘Cuda was anything to
sneeze at.
This year, aside from offering several high-end
collections including several estates, Mecum also had
a four-car grouping of cars that were part of the 1953
GM Motorama. While the Corvette and the Cadillac
Eldorado failed to sell, the Oldsmobile Fiesta and Buick
Skylark yielded respectable sales.
One new wrinkle for this year was that Mecum also
conducted a separate and concurrent Automobilia auction
on Thursday through Saturday in the neighboring
auditorium, which also shifted to an estate parts collection
auction on Sunday.
80
Buyer's premium
$300 up to $5,499; $500
from $5,500 to $9,999; 6%
thereafter, included in sold
prices
That top-selling 'Cuda caught me off guard. It was claimed to have the
highest serial number of any Hemi 'Cuda, and I've seen it for sale at every
Spring Classic for the last five years (plus several other Mecum events), so I just
considered it as another futile attempt at recreating a market that has in recent
years more or less shriveled up. Surprise, surprise, surprise—it was hammered
sold for more than the previous leader did earlier that day: the Shelby Cobra
“demonstrator” car, which made $519,400.
Although there were no “knock it out of the park” seven-figure sales, I'm
sure any auction company out there will take 68 $100k-and-greater cars that
sell over a handful of multi-million dollar cars that may or may not change
hands. I certainly don't think Mecum has anything to complain about when it
comes to these results.
All in all, Dana and company manage to pull new rabbits out of their hats every
year, and they not only keep pressing on, but
expand and have the resources to make it work.
Even with this volume, they had sufficient staff on
hand to handle most anything—from driving and
marshalling cars, to getting the paperwork and
checks done in the office. Kudos to Mecum for
not only pulling this off, but having the foresight
to know that it takes enough people in the right
places to make this work and not try to skimp in
the manpower (and womanpower) department.
One wonders if there's going to be enough room
on the grounds, days in the week, or even cars in
the state of Indiana to expand this further next
year. But somehow, I expect Dana will figure out
a way to make it happen. ♦
Sales Totals
$10m
$20m
$30m
$40m
$50m
0
Sports Car Market
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006

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ENGLISH
#F255-1935 ROLLS-ROYCE 20/25HP
Moxie replica speedster. S/N GHG31. Black
& white/Saddle leather (literally). Modern day
re-creation of sole Rolls-Royce chassis Moxie
soft drink promotional car of the 1920s and
1930s. Created in the 1980s and fluffed up
within the last decade. Featured in a special
exhibit at the 2006 Amelia Island Concours
d'Elegance. Wears a pre-1933 Rolls-Royce
grille shell emblem. Ford 302 coupled to an
automatic transmission. Modern Auto Meter
gauges in dash, Astro-Turf carpeting on floor.
Elongated
stirrups operate
accelerator
and
brakes, steering wheel is a heavy-duty truck
unit by Ross. Linkages show some light corrosion
at joints. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $58,300. No
horsing around at this price point, but only if
you collect Moxie ephemera or eccentric oddities.
Otherwise, just a large garage ornament.
Despite a reported $100k spent to build, I can't
see it bringing more money anywhere else.
#U75.1-1957 JAGUAR XK 140 roadster.
S/N 812462. White/black cloth/red leather.
Odo: 34,196 miles. Sports a concours-quality
restoration, with over two decades on it. Paint
and chrome have held up quite well. Recently
replaced stainless steel exhaust system, top,
upholstery, tires, and fender skirts—which explains
why they look a touch darker than rest of
body. Acceptable door gaps. Tidy engine bay
7,476 miles. Good repaint on fenders, upper
body sections have a dulling, chalky appearance.
Older, passable top and interior upholstery.
Aftermarket steering wheel wrap and
wood shift knob, modern seat belts. Light pitting
on all chrome. Recent brake job, including
new master cylinder. Selective use of rattle-can
undercoating, no overspray on old surfacerusted
exhaust system. Fitted with a new set of
plus-1 sized Panasport alloy wheels and new
radials. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $18,285. If the
buyer wanted a presentable driver, this should
have been the ticket. He or she may have spent
a few grand more than needed, but just as long
as the next stop is not a restoration shop, this
should prove a rewarding play toy for several
years. After wringing the fun out of it, well,
then go ahead and consider restoration.
#S211-1971 MCLAREN M8E Can-Am
spec racer. S/N 8004. Yellow/black vinyl.
RHD. Campaigned by Roy Woods Racing during
the 1971 Can-Am series, driven by Vic
Elford. Tub-up restoration a little over a year
ago by Symbolic Motorsport to original configuration.
Powered by period-correct Chevy
Mark IV big-block with Lucas injection and
Vertex magneto ignition, bolted to Hewland
4-speed transmission. Wears a tech inspection
modern leather steering wheel rim cover. Seats
typically lumpy due to deteriorating padding,
leather very glossy. Dealer accessory red rubber
floormats heavily faded. Clean and tidy
under the hood, but not a show car. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $79,500. The reserve was lifted
when the bidding ceased, led by the chap seated
in front of me. A couple of folks congratulated
him on his purchase right afterward, but I certainly
wasn't one of them. All the money in the
world plus borrowed change if you ask me.
#F108-1974 JENSEN INTERCEPTOR
Mk III convertible. S/N 23111575. Pearl
white/tan vinyl/tan leather. Odo: 25,169 miles.
Rough repaint, with cracked original
paint
contours visible beneath it, lots of runs, inattentive
masking, and an uneven sheen—especially
up front, where it seems to have been blended
in after collision work. Likely theft recovery, as
driver's door-to-glass seal is torn, and upholstery
around ignition switch is mangled and
chewed up. Newer correct top is well fitted.
Reupholstered driver's seat, passenger's side
slightly
lighter. Aftermarket steering wheel.
detailed to show standard but not concoursquality.
Light surface rust on gauge needles.
1987 Texas inspection sticker on windshield,
but also has 6-character California blue plate
with 2004 tag on top of stack of previous years.
Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $110,000. At this bid,
the car should've rightfully changed hands, but
the consignor was probably freshly remembering
how much it cost to freshen up the car.
#F5-1960 MGA roadster.
S/N
GHNL80942. White/tan vinyl/tan vinyl. Odo:
82
sticker from the 2010 BRIC (Chicago Historics,
for us old timers) at Road America. Excellent
paint and cosmetics, minimal road wear behind
wheelwells. Thick masking around original
McLaren nose decal. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD
AT $310,000. We may have been just down the
road from the Brickyard, but this Can-Am car
did more for me than any of the Indy cars out
here. Last bid seemed like realistic money, but I
also can't blame the seller for not letting it go.
#S203-1972 JAGUAR XKE Series III
convertible. S/N 1S20522BW. White/black
vinyl/red leather. Odo: 21,420 miles. Stated to
be a two-owner car, but no claims made regarding
mileage or originality. Superb newer trimoff
repaint. Better-than-original chrome and
bumper finish. Good original top, but plastic
backlight yellowing noticeably. High-quality
Sports Car Market
Generally unkempt engine bay. Modern a/c
compressor. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD AT
$47,000. Listed in SCM as sold on eBay in
February 2011, for a claimed $45,100 (SCM#
168913), rated by the seller at 2- condition.
Proof once again that you never take a seller's
word for granted on an eBay auction. Let's just
say that this example did not inspire great confidence.
FRENCH
#T310-1960 VESPA 400 coupe. S/N
18916. Light blue/dark blue vinyl/blue & gray
vinyl. Odo: 778 miles. Miles believed actual,

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Mecum Auctions Indianapolis, IN
with original tires and interior paint. Presentable
exterior repaint, but not to the caliber one
would expect for a third place in class at Pebble
Beach in 1997. Windshield starting to delaminate.
Good original or older replacement sunroof
top vinyl and plastic back window.
Reupholstered seats, at least as good workmanship
as original. Lettering and numbers on
speedo face starting to crack and shrink.
Repainted gloss black undercarriage. Cond:
3+. NOT SOLD AT $21,000. The hands-down
winner of the “Gee, honey, isn't
it cute?”
award. Thing is, so was a yellow one at
Mecum's St. Charles auction last fall, bid to
$24k and not sold (SCM# 165929). That one
may have set the bar too high, with the consignor
thinking this one should pull that kind of
money at least. Adorable microcars have been
the flavor of the month for quite a few months
now, but it's still unclear what one of these is
really worth.
GERMAN
#T222-1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL
convertible. S/N 1210407500246. Red/black
cloth soft top & black vinyl hard top/white
leather. Odo: 88,136 km. Old average repaint,
lots of touched-up chips and overspray.
Originally a European-market car, then crossed
the pond, probably after 1968, as headlights are
modified sealed-beam U.S.-spec units from a
1968–1972 280SL/SEL. Side grilles cut into
front fenders, Talbot-style mirrors on top, fake
white Porta-walls poorly installed over modern
radial tires. Original optional big back window
hard top nicely re-covered. Rechromed bum-
seat and door panel reupholstery job. Runs out
well, just like a Toro lawnmower. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $28,620. The consignor was a bit
surprised when I told him before the sale that
better ones sell just north of $30k. Pleasantly
surprised, I should say, as he was into it for less
than half of that and wasn't expecting more
than $20k. He was exceptionally pleased with
the outcome, taking the reserve off at $25k.
#T9-1969 MERCEDES-BENZ 280SL
convertible. S/N 11304412009278.
White/white hard top/red leather. Odo: 83,326
miles. Presentable older repaint, but upper surfaces
starting to get chalky, could use a buffing.
Blister forming at front fascia. Moderate pitting
on cast chrome trim, bumpers presentable.
Retains original warranty service plate, showing
that it was sold new in Beverly Hills as
generally considered the low point of '02 production.
Not only were the engines at their most
strangled by U.S. emissions, but the bodies also
sported the less aesthetically pleasing square
taillights and butt-ugly guard rail bumpers.
Now in the 21st century, a car with a solid
structure trumps those downsides. The stouter
suspended, larger braked, fuel injected
tii
helps, too. If it had the Holy Grail of options—
the 5-speed transmission—this price would be
a slam-dunk for the buyer. As-is, fully priced by
a bid or two.
#T237.1-1974 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
sedan. S/N 1142349723. Marina Blue/gray
vinyl. Odo: 10,232 miles. Authentication letter
from VW Museum archives and original sales
docs included. No options at all except for the
Autostick transmission. Car said to be 100%
original (save for fluids and battery) with actual
miles. Peel-off starting instruction sticker intact
on steering wheel hub. Light chipping on door
edges and along inside trunk latch. AAA club
decal on minty rear bumper. Interior shows
some light yellowing from age, seats lightly
soiled from dust. Cleanly detailed engine bay.
pers, with moderate pitting on all interior
chrome. Driver-grade reupholstery work.
Worn, faded carpet. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT
$39,220. I can only guess that the custom restyled
front end must have been done in imitation
of a 300SL, but it totally missed the mark
and just made the nose look heavy. Anyone who
placed a bid beyond the $30k mark was out of
touch—the car could be made right for maybe
$75k, but then it will still be worth just $80k.
#T165.1-1958 BMW ISETTA coupe. S/N
515258. Blue & gray/black vinyl sunroof/blue
vinyl. Odo: 23,507 miles. Older repaint with
heavier overspray on undercarriage and side
glass seals. Paint chipping where rear bumper
overriders meet body. Bumpers replated, mirrors
and window trim heavily frosted. 1969
University of Iowa campus parking sticker in
rear window. Oil change stickers also from this
era. Newer shock absorbers, with rust scale and
blue oversprary on undercarriage. Economy
84
currently configured. Original wood totally
beat, needs replacement. Older reproduction
upholstery. Noticeable old car smell emanating
from original carpet, not to be confused with
distinctive and refreshing old German car odor.
Towed across auction block. Cond: 3. SOLD
AT $39,750. Global interest in global market
cars must have really influenced values for
lesser 280SLs recently, as this sold for double
the $20k high estimate. A home run for the
seller.
#U19-1974 BMW 2002 TII 2-dr sedan.
S/N 2781488. Brown metallic/tan vinyl. Odo:
42,648 miles. Presentable older repaint covers
body tag and paint color decal, heavy overspray
on door seals suggests they weren't even
masked off. Heavier chips on door edges. Solid
shock towers in trunk, but lower edges of spare
tire well are rotting out. Very dull original
brightwork. Current Pennsylvania inspection
sticker in windshield. Generally tidy
underhood. Replacement seats, door panels,
headliner, and carpet. Cloudy but serviceable
dash vinyl. Optional sunroof, clock, and Becker
Monza AM/FM radio. 13-inch Alpina starburst
alloys. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $10,865. 1974 is
Period aftermarket rear mudflaps. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $12,720. A veritable time capsule,
possibly because the owner got frustrated or
gave up on the Autostick. That might also explain
the radio delete—they needed maximum
weight reduction to get any semblance of performance.
While it's a great benchmark for how
a 1974 was originally built, it would not be a
great car to drive. Even spending more than a
buck per mile, the buyer paid about the right
price for a Survivor show trailer queen and
garage ornament.
ITALIAN
#S132-1973 FERRARI 365 GTB/4
DAYTONA coupe. S/N 16493. Dark red/tan
leather. Odo: 26,395 miles. Car claimed unrestored
with actual miles showing. Color-change
repaint to factory standard. Paint cracking
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Mecum Auctions Indianapolis, IN
under right rear window. Door gaps generally
even, but seals loose and even poking out in
places. Generally maintained
heavy
chipping on cam covers,
underhood,
corrosion
including paint, with miles actual since new.
Three things that weren't on the car when it
came off the boat are side moldings, rustproofing
plugs, and new 205/70R14 Sumitomo tires.
Impeccably
well-cared-for
paint,
including
bossed on hood sides. Frame-off restoration
done to driver standard by MV enthusiast and
DOT inspected. Less-than-expert bodywork,
some waviness and floated-out dents.
Reproduction data plates in cab. Seat canvas
worn and fading. Modern seat belts, aftermarket
gauges, and cowl insulation added. Box is
harder-to-find steel one rather than more common
wood. Converted to 12-volt with modern
on edges of radiator. Interior leather due for
cleaning and conditioning. Original Becker
Mexico AM/FM/cassette deck in console. On
Borrani chrome wire wheels, also includes set
of period 5-spoke alloys, along with some
spare parts, jack, and tool kit. Cond: 3-. SOLD
AT $280,900. As part of the no-reserve Paul
Dehnert estate, this was almost anticlimactic in
the way that it slowly worked its way up to
being hammered sold. Hard to say if the repaint
helped or hurt the price. On one hand, it was a
more likeable color on an otherwise generally
original example, but on the other, things were
approaching “worn out.” Call it market pricing
for now.
#F31-1985 FERRARI TESTAROSSA
coupe. S/N ZFFSA17A3F0057619. Rosso
Corsa/tan leather. Odo: 19,483 miles. Wellcared-for
original paint, with a few light gravel
nicks on nose and trunk lip. Aftermarket prancing
pony valve stem covers on stock wheels.
Ferrari Club of America decal on driver's-side
rear quarter-window. Virtually no wear on
original upholstery and carpet. Heaviest wear
on steering wheel rim leather. Last documented
underhood and in door jambs. Excellent original
brightwork. Cleanly detailed engine bay,
which still has good original gold cad plating
on most hardware. Minimal interior wear or
soiling, with light yellowing of some plastics
from age. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $18,000.
If there were three pedals on the floor, one
could almost see why the consignor held tight
to his reserve. But for a slushbox car—even
such an unusually clean and original example—this
was all that could be expected.
AMERICAN
#T243-1938 WILLYS 48 ½-ton pickup.
S/N 3871553. Gray & dark blue/black vinyl.
Odo: 22,569 miles. Indicated miles claimed
actual. Restored to generally stock condition,
including close approximation of original color
combo. Modern vinyl graphics on tailgate in
lieu of original painted logo. All chrome redone,
plus additional strip added on box.
Modern oak side rails, carpet laid in bed. Turn
signals added, additional rear parking lamp integrated
into front parking lights in the head-
signals and later-vintage full-pressure oil system
engine. Said motor lights right up. Cond:
3+. SOLD AT $10,500. The War Department
ordered all manufacturers to cease marking
military products with their trademark names
as of July 1942, so the earlier branded examples
tend to be worth more, regardless of the
vehicle. The seller/restorer did this truck up for
user-friendly parade use, rather than a pure
restoration. Military trucks larger than jeeps
don't often turn up at collector car auctions, so
the sales records are spotty. MV collectors tend
to be cheap—even on correct museum-grade
restorations—while car guys tend to pay more.
We'll just call it big boys wanting to play army
and call that our explanation for the selling
price here.
#S109-1953 BUICK SKYLARK convert-
ible. S/N 16892896. Blue metallic/white
vinyl/blue & white leather. Odo: 257 miles.
322-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Older frame-off restoration
done to what was then state-of-the-art
standard, still presents very well. Gaps OK.
Whitewalls starting to yellow. Period-style aftermarket
chrome exhaust deflector. Modern
crimp connectors on rear bumper license plate
lamp wiring, lying across bumper apron.
engine service in June of 2007. Aftermarket
exhaust system and Sony CD player. Still rolling
on original Michelin TRX radials. Cond:
2-. SOLD AT $54,060. These redheads generally
tended to be bought and used hard, then
put away tired and beat. This one seemed to
have defied that trend, and came off as having
been well cared for since day one. If you were
going to pay retail-plus
for a TR—or just
wanted a TR not on the verge of implosion—
this was worth the price of admission.
JAPANESE
#T200-1978 DATSUN 280Z coupe. S/N
HLS30462810. Light gold metallic/parchment
vinyl. Odo: 12,245 miles. Believed all-original,
86
light assembly. Light cracks in steering wheel,
light surface rust and discoloring of original
gauges. Good reupholstery. Cond: 2. SOLD
AT $37,630. You almost never see a pre-war
Willys pickup that isn't a street rod or gasser.
Heck, just a Willys pickup is rare enough, no
matter what was done to it. Kudos to the consigning
dealer (who specialized in top-condition
pickups) for putting this one in top shape
and reminding folks that Willys and flame paint
jobs are not synonymous. Not cheap, but find
me another one.
#U152-1942 CHEVROLET G7107 mili-
tary truck. S/N BV471608. Olive Drab/Olive
Drab canvas. Odo: 389 miles. Early contract
pre-July 1942 truck, with “Chevrolet” em-
Interior only shows light soiling from sitting
and no perceivable wear. Concours-ready engine
bay and undercarriage. Cond: 1-. SOLD
AT $206,700. Part of the Motorama offerings.
Just when I thought that 1954 Skylarks were
the hot ticket over the original-year examples,
this one took off like a rocket. There was no
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Mecum Auctions Indianapolis, IN
problem at all surpassing $150k, and it just
kept going up. So much for thinking that 1950s
American convertibles are a dying market.
#S106-1953 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. S/N E53F001274. Polo White/black
cloth soft top/red vinyl. Odo: 45,743 miles.
235-ci 150-hp I6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Approximately
a year out of a restoration shop specializing in
6-cyl Corvettes. Authentically restored body
tub, with correct light waviness and fabric
weave bleed-though under correctly applied
paint. All chrome has been replated to correct,
non-show-quality brilliance. Non-OEM repro-
touched car with 26,000 miles. Documented
with build sheets, warranty cards…”. Well, it
was at least partially repainted a long time ago.
Roof paint particularly rough, with runs and
orange peel—even Chrysler wasn't that sloppy
in '57. Fitted with a post-factory Park-O-Mat
a/c system, modern wiring visible. Rear bum-
#F228-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD D/F
code convertible. S/N D7FH202136. Inca
Gold/Inca Gold hard top/black & white vinyl.
Odo: 4 miles. 312-ci supercharged V8, 3-sp.
Documented as one of 15 pilot production supercharged
‘Birds built for competition, converted
from “D code” dual-quad induction cars
5 months before “F code” regular production.
Overdrive unit added by original owner after
he quit competition. Restored by T-Bird expert
Gil Baumgartner in the early 1980s, with only
light fluff-ups since. Won numerous CTCI na-
duction windshield. Original dull and fading
taillight lenses. New top lightly wrinkled.
Original door knobs yellowing, in contrast with
repro dashboard fittings. Clean, correctly detailed
engine bay and undercarriage. Cond: 2-.
NOT SOLD AT $180,000. Top bid was about
$50k under even the most pessimistic predictions.
Especially since I saw it declared sold for
$247,500 at the Auburn Worldwide auction last
Labor Day weekend, 2010 (SCM# 166401).
#S108-1953 OLDSMOBILE FIESTA
convertible. S/N 539M40169. Regal Turquoise
& Polar White/white vinyl/turquoise & white.
Odo: 17 miles. 303-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Frameoff
restoration showing vastly-better-than
original workmanship. Fitted with non-OEM
windshield. Hood does not rest flush onto cowl,
only noticeable because all other body gaps on
the car are square. Concours-quality detailing
underhood. No discernable wear anywhere on
the car, even on the undercarriage. Cond: 1-.
per was rechromed at some time, but rest of
brightwork is all original and aged. Clear vinyl
seat covers appear to be a later addition, as
seats are noticably faded and torn. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $28,090. The car still retained most
of its original dealer sticker on the rear valance
and a 1958 North Little Rock license sticker in
windshield. Today, perhaps few wax nostalgic
about Little Rock in 1957, but this DeSoto was
a pleasant slice of life from that emotionally
charged time. The Firesweep was the entrylevel
DeSoto in 1957, while all hard tops in all
series were called Sportsmans. Factoring the
low miles into the equation, sold for correct top
money.
#S165-1957 DEVIN MONZA racer. S/N
DSR007. Red & white/black vinyl. RHD. Odo:
211 miles. Presentable older repaint, star crack
under left front fender. Ernie McAfee assembled
the chassis in '52, body reportedly copied
off a Ferrari that was in Devin's shop in the
mid-'50s. Powered by a circa-'55 Alfa 1290-cc
four, from a wreck returned to Max Hoffman's
L.A. agency, with more modern 5-speed Alfa
tranny and quick-change Halibrand rear end.
On Borrani wire wheels shod with Dunlop race
tires. Modern fuel cell, 5-point harness, race
tional awards from 1983 into 1990s and looks
concours-ready. Slight yellowing of gauge
faces, interior wear otherwise minimal. Cond:
1-. SOLD AT $275,600. Last seen at RM's
Phoenix sale in January 2009, then a no-sale at
a “nobody's paying attention” bid of $190k
(SCM# 119167). This time, thanks in no small
part to all the pre-auction hype, as well as
Mecum's December sale in KC of a “regular”
F-Bird for more than this last no-sale, the bidding
was heated both in the room and on the
phone. The reserve was lifted at $260k and
hammered sold shortly after.
#T120.1-1963 CHEVROLET IMPALA
SS 2-dr hard top. S/N 31847T238214. Tuxedo
Black/red vinyl. Odo: 98,609 miles. 409-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Decent repaint. Door gap and fit
OK, but both doors have to be slammed shut.
Several light nicks in side trim. Buffed-out
stainless steel trim, newer bumper rechroming.
Faded original dashpad, rest of interior soft
trim is reproduction and installed with good
workmanship. Modern black seat belts added
in rear. Aside from battery, engine bay is tidy
SOLD AT $180,200. Last seen at Worldwide's
Houston Classic auction in Seabrook, TX in
2010, then netting $195k (SCM# 120365). Here
it was part of the four-car 1953 Motorama
grouping on Saturday. Interesting that it gets
cut loose for $20k less, two years later. Perhaps
part of a larger trend of stagnant values for
1950s cars?
#F2-1957 DESOTO FIRESWEEP
Sportsman 2-dr hard top. S/N 58027393. Tan
& white/white vinyl & gray nylon. Odo: 26,195
miles. 325-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. “Totally un-
88
seats, modern steering wheel, fire suppression
system. Tidy and well kept chassis and engine
bay. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $50,880. Ernie
McAfee and Bill Devin were business partners
when this car was assembled, but Ernie was
killed while racing a Ferrari 121 LM in 1956.
The car was stated to have been campaigned
on the West Coast into the 1960s. It has a current
Tennessee title today, so it's now legal for
the road. The reserve on this unique piece of
Devin history was lifted at $48k.
and detailed to stock. Rear suspension higher
than stock. Older undercarriage detailing, now
with noticeable soiling and light rust. Redline
radials fitted. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $26,500.
Market-priced for an entry-level 409-powered
SS with 4-speed. The consignor must have also
felt this way, as the reserve was dropped when
the bidding ceased.
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#F226-1963 SHELBY COBRA “The
Shelby Demonstrator” roadster. S/N
CSX2096. Red/black vinyl/black leather. Odo:
43,948 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Used as
demonstrator from February 1963 to April
1964, appearing in several magazine road tests.
Last mechanically restored in 1992, but repaint
in original red dates to late '70s. Said repaint
presents as meticulously preserved original
enamel, very nice. Heavy seat leather wrinkling
and patina, modern electrical switches on console,
original shift knob swiped during event.
Electric radiator fan added. On knockoff
pay for a Merc, even with the 427 and overall
good originality.
BEST
BUY
#W229.1-1965 CHEVROLET
CORVETTE coupe.
194375S100001. Silver
S/N
Pearl/silver
leather. Odo: 28,500 miles. 327-ci 365-hp V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. First 1965 Corvette built, by serial
number and body number. Good older repaint,
some cracking at windshield base. Front
wheelwell lips have some latter-day reinforcing,
but body generally stock. Rattle-can re-dye
of interior door panels, seats also re-dyed rather
than replaced. Original carpeting water-stained.
still say that cars do sell for more while the
cameras are on. No one should feel too bad for
the estate, as it sold strong enough.
#S193-1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO
Nickey/Bill Thomas 427 Stage III coupe. S/N
124377L159629. Red & white/black vinyl.
Odo: 87,994 miles. 427-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Verified by Nickey registry and Bill Thomas
himself as a car that was converted in his shop
into
a prototype
L72-powered
Stage
III.
Repainted to detailed standard, reportedly with
no bodywork needed. Light polishing swirls,
some light sanding on windshield trim. Driver's
door latches poorly, protrudes out at rear. Good
reproduction interior soft trim with minimal
wear. Show-quality engine bay and undercarriage.
Wears original (refinished) Cragar SS
wheels with Nickey center caps and Bill
AC wire wheels shod with period Blue Streaks
and displayed with set of gunmetal-painted
wires. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $519,400. This
curvy Cobra actually appeared on the cover of
Playboy magazine in August of 1963. The stolen
shift knob appeared to be the same as used
on the full-sized Fords of the era equipped with
the FE engine and 4-speed. Little consolation,
sure, but at least it's not some one-off item. The
car saw some spirited bidding both on-site and
over the phone, especially once the $450k reserve
was lifted. At a touch over $500k, call it
fairly bought, toward the low end of $500k$600k
estimate range.
#S137-1964 MERCURY MONTCLAIR
MARAUDER 2-dr hard top. S/N
4Z57R507298. Light blue/two-tone blue vinyl.
Odo: 51,015 miles. 427-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp.
Car claimed to show actual miles and be essentially
original, only repainted and detailed.
Nice original interior, seats lumpy from settled
padding, lower seat trim has come loose, revealing
wiring for optional power seat. Engine
bay quite tidy. Original valve cover decals have
started to discolor and wilt. Optional transistorized
ignition, AM/FM, tinted
glass, and
Optional 365-hp motor, 4-speed, 3.55-ratio
Posi, wood rim steering wheel, AM/FM, offroad
exhaust,
leather, power brakes, and
Comfort and Convenience group. Wearing
original knockoffs. Cond: 3. SOLD AT
$69,960. Not only was this the first unit sequence
number for the 1965 model year, it was
also the first coupe body fabricated at the St.
Louis assembly plant for '65, with a body number
of S1. That alone should have given it a
bump of at least ten percent, but there was no
sign of any effect today. Well bought.
#S96-1965 PONTIAC GTO convertible.
S/N 237675P376284. Light
yellow/black
vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 5 miles. 389-ci V8,
3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Restored to factory specs and
confirmed by PHS. Body prep and repaint significantly
better than original. Some gaps inconsistent.
Light top wrinkling, as caused by
storage in the down position. Motor significantly
glossier than stock, but looks sharp.
Excellent workmanship on reproduction interior
soft trim, with only a modern Hurst shifter.
Optional Tri-Power, 4-speed, power steering
and brakes, wood-rimmed steering wheel,
push-button AM radio, and Rally I wheels shod
Thomas-installed
traction
bars.
Cond:
2+.
SOLD AT $424,000. Bill Thomas Race Cars of
Anaheim, CA—a long-time racer and tuner of
Chevys ranging from Corvettes to Corvairs—
partnered up with Nickey Chevrolet in late
1966 when Nickey had the idea to put 427s into
the all-new Camaros. Thomas did the majority
of the development and converted the cars sold
on the West Coast, while Nickey financed the
project and handled sales elsewhere in the
country. Even though this car is a Holy Grail of
Camaros, the selling price still threw me for a
loop. But hey, everyone goes home happy here.
#F52-1967 CHEVROLET CAPRICE
wagon. S/N 166357L133619. Bolero Red &
faux wood/black vinyl. Odo: 49,186 miles.
396-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Claimed full original
spec, with 325-horse 396, a/c, power steering,
brakes, and rear window, plus California emissions
equipment. Better quality exterior repaint,
along with application of replacement
Di-Noc wood siding. Generally good original
paint in door jambs. Trim mashed on left rear
corner. Very well-cared-for original interior,
with light wear and soiling. Aftermarket gauge
pack under dash.
Authentically
detailed
Rotunda 8,000-rpm tach. Correct 15-inch steelies—unique
in
1964
to 427s and Police
Interceptors. Offered at no reserve from the
Paul Dehnert estate. Cond: 2. SOLD AT
$72,080. Purchased by Mr. Dehnert at BarrettJackson's
Scottsdale auction in 2006, then
paying a way over-the-top price of $99k (SCM#
44175). $27k less today, this was still plenty to
90
with Redline bias ply tires. Cond: 1-. SOLD
AT $65,720. This GTO, offered at no reserve
from the Zeb Morris estate, was the last car to
sell before going on air, and was directly followed
by another Goat from the Morris estate.
As that car sold for $500 more, I guess we can
underhood and very tidy, a/c now with R134a
fittings. Aftermarket Rally wheels. Cond: 3+.
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Mecum Auctions Indianapolis, IN
NOT SOLD AT $17,000. Considering that
station wagons are still a hot ticket, top bid
would have been under the money even for a
small-block car or a put-together special—
both of which this was not. Seller was correct
to hang on.
#F92-1967 OLDSMOBILE 442 2-dr hard
top. S/N 338177Z111632. Red/red vinyl. Odo:
959 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Exceptionally
nice bare-body restoration, highlighted by
gleaming repaint. All glass brand new, original
brightwork all professionally buffed out or replated.
Front clip gaps not perfect, but are
among the best I've seen on a '64–'67 GM
A-body. Tail-dragging rear suspension. Bonestock
interior restored and unworn. Modern
Hurst shifter. Stated to have block from a '68
442 rebuilt to '67 350-hp specs. Runs out very
black/black vinyl. Odo: 19,881 miles. 455-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Car claimed to show actual
miles and be all-original apart from fluids, battery,
and a hood repaint. I'll add that headlights
are
no longer T-3s. Paint
almost looks
clearcoated. Lightly pitted emblems, foggy
Recent Marti Report verifies car configured as
original from factory. Mileage loosely claimed
to be actual. New non-OEM windshield. All
brightwork professionally buffed out or re-
bumpers. Interior very well preserved, and
reeking of mothballs. Undercarriage belies
sub-optimal storage conditions, with heavier
surface rust on bare metal chassis components,
plus some overspray on rusted exhaust pipes
from touch-up of rocker panels. Equipped with
dealer-installed
well, and is actually quieter than stock at idle.
Optional power steering and SSII wheels.
Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT $35,000. Last
popped up on our radar at the 2010 McCormick
Palm Springs auction last February, fetching
$40,163 (SCM# 160843). Little wonder, then,
that they declared on the block it would take
“well into the $40s to get it done today.”
#S105-1967 SHELBY GT500 fastback.
S/N 67402F4A00923. White & blue/black
vinyl. Odo: 19,589 miles. 428-ci V8, 2x4-bbl,
4-sp. Narrow center headlight configuration.
Heavily documented, restored to original spec,
with power steering and front discs, fold-down
rear seat, shoulder harnesses, AM radio, and
10-spoke alloy wheels. Older repaint has some
slight yellowing starting to show on a few
places, most notably on rear window scoops.
$63,600. To get around the 400-ci ceiling imposed
by GM on the A-bodied cars, Olds
farmed out the 455 swap to Hurst as a conversion
package. 515 such cars were done in this
first year of what would be a two-year project,
and this had to be one of the best preserved of
them all. As such, the selling price seemed fair
if not bought well.
#S201-1969 DODGE CHARGER
Daytona 2-dr hard top. S/N XX29L9B410769.
Hemi Orange/black vinyl. Odo: 64,516 miles.
440-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Claimed to be an unrestored
original, but wears an older repaint,
done with easily removed trim off and a stock
gloss to it, clearly showing sanding scratches
beneath. Some crazing. Jambs, trunk, and
underhood retain good original paint, factory
inspection marks on cowl. Excellent gaps. Tidy
underhood. Newer interior or very well preserved
original. Power steering and brakes, de-
a/c. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
plated, windshield VIN tag buffed to high
gloss. All Ford under the hood, although it has
a modern fleet sales battery and incorrect air
cleaner decal. Minimal wear on all reproduction
interior soft trim. Fitted with chromed GT
wheels shod with repop Polyglas tires. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $54,060. Last seen at Mecum's
Kissimmee sale in January 2011, where it nosaled
at $52k (SCM# 168849). Since the bidding
here duplicated those results exactly, the
consignor took the hint and cut it loose.
#T96-1970 AMC AMX 2-dr hard top. S/N
A0M397P175360. Black/Fawn vinyl. Odo:
88,884 miles. 360-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Generally
complete documentation, optional sidepipes
now long gone. Good trim-off repaint when it
was restored in 1994 by the second owner.
Most trim repolished at repaint, bumpers and
some pieces replated. Light pitting on taillightsurrounds.
Original door seals masked off and
reused. Seat
upholstery
moderately
dirty,
faded, and worn. Aftermarket steering wheel,
Older interior restoration, with soiling and yellowing
more from age than wear. Authentically
detailed underhood, with Autolite battery top
overlay covering a modern cell. Aftermarket
exhaust outlets. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $175,960.
Maybe not minty fresh, but still a strong example.
A further good sign in big-block Shelbyland
was that this car not only went past the reserve
at $160k, but that the bidding kept going for a
while longer.
#U68-1968 OLDSMOBILE 442 Hurst
2-dr hard top. S/N 344878M387001. Silver &
92
luxe bucket seat, center console, Rally gauges,
and Magnum 500 wheels confirmed by fender
tag and the Chrysler Registry. Cond: 3+. SOLD
AT $116,600. Offered at no reserve. Not that
this was a bad car—far from it—but it was
hardly the unmolested virgin it was made out to
be. Doubts about the car's heritage, along with
the continuing uncertainty of the Mopar market,
combined for an up-to-the-minute correct
market price.
#S81-1969 FORD MUSTANG Mach 1
fastback. S/N 9T02R151100. Champagne
Gold & black/black vinyl. Odo: 55,595 miles.
428-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Superb bare-body restoration,
with excellent body prep and repaint.
modern Hurst shifter, and BAE gauges. Recent
engine paint detailing, with aftermarket plug
wires and tube headers. Non-stock chambered
mufflers. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $20,405. This
final year of production also had the lowest
production numbers, with only 4,116 cars built.
I've maintained for some time that AMXs are
undervalued, and this one, while not a show
queen, was nonetheless a strong, appealing
driver. Well bought.
#S275-1970 BUICK GS 455 Stage 1 2-dr
hard top. S/N 446370H193675. White/black
vinyl. Odo: 1,291 miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Frame-off restored beyond factory quality
within last few years, no wear since. Retains
entire original drivetrain and nearly complete
documentation,
including tank sticker and
build sheet. Coolant jug and washer reservoir
yellowed from age; engine bay otherwise con-
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Mecum Auctions Indianapolis, IN
cours-ready, as is undercarriage.
Optional
Stage I 455, M21 4-speed, console, tinted glass,
tion, excellent paintwork, factory-correct for
the most part. Slightly wide gaps, but door actuation
is excellent. Only non-authentic item
underhood is chrome master cylinder cover.
Moderate aging of seats is in line with claimed
Repaint likely better than original, but still not
concours-quality. Seat may very well be original
or at least date from the era, has minor seam
splitting along outer edges. Like-new five-point
harness, modern steering wheel, modern red
AM/FM with rear speaker, Rally steering
wheel,
Rally
instrument
group, door edge
guards, and that's it. Original steel wheels with
dog-dish caps. Cond: 1. NOT SOLD AT
$135,000. Yes, there is more to life than bigblock
Chevelles. A Stage I GS could show its
taillights to any of its GM A-body brethren (if
just barely, as in the case of a 1970 W-30 Olds
442). This car was also seen here in 2010, then
a no-sale at $155k (SCM# 162975). It's going
to take the right collector with deep pockets to
get this one sold.
#F248-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE
SS 454 LS6 2-dr hard top. S/N
136370B159605. Forest Green/white vinyl.
Odo: 16,459 miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Claimed original miles and unrestored, with
providence verification from all 4 owners since
new. Clearcoat added over the mostly original
paint, including over paint nicks around the
trunk lock. Underhood essentially original with
all smog gear and light flash rust. Most of interior
has held up exceptionally well over 41
years. Optional LS6, TH400 automatic, 3.31
mileage. With optional 4-speed, Super Track
Pack with 4.10 gearing, unassisted front discs,
Elastomeric front bumper, AM/8-track, overhead
console, and leather interior with center
console. Rear spoiler added, but original uncut
trunk lid included. Cond: 2. SOLD AT
$145,220. Passed the reserve at $125k, and just
kept creeping steadily up from there. While it
was several hundred grand shy of the big dawg
Hemi 'Cuda of the sale, this car effectively
broke the ice.
fastback.
#T231-1971 FORD MUSTANG Boss 351
S/N 1F02R162921. White/black
vinyl. Odo: 48,174 miles. 351-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Claimed to be a mostly original car, including
indicated miles and paint. Rear valance
has some chipping from earlier light impact.
Bumper chrome looks brand new. Interior believably
original (with slight old car smell).
Correctly
rebuilt
original
motor. Factory
equipped with optional Mach 1 Sports Interior
and blue anodized and stainless braided plumbing
and fittings used throughout car. Sold on
bill of sale, no visible serial number. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $132,500. My requisite “When in
Indy, write up an Indy race car” example. In
1971, Donnie Allison drove this Coyote to a
6th-place Indy 500 finish. A year later, Foyt's
long-time friend George Snider drove it to an
11th-place finish. Unlike a lot of test and
backup cars that grace so many auctions, this
one actually fought on the front lines, so the
selling price didn't seem out of line.
#S90.1-1975 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1Z67J5S435199. White/white
hard top & soft top/red leather. Odo: 2,789
miles. 350-ci 165-hp
V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Extensively documented as the last 1975
Corvette convertible built. Ordered new by
Bob Kaiser Chevrolet of St. Louis, loaded with
all options, and displayed at dealership for
years afterward. Retains all documentation, including
copy of MSO, as it was titled last year
for the first time ever. Generally well preserved.
Door handle flappers lightly pitted. Recent engine
cleanup, although rest of bay not quite at
Posi, F41 suspension, tinted glass, cowl induction
hood, front disc brakes and steering, and
lamp group, confirmed by copies of original
build sheet. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $84,800.
With several LS6s to choose from here, this one
struck me as being generally original, but not
in a very desirable color combo and with a
bench seat and column-shift automatic to boot.
As perhaps a better indicator of the state of the
LS6 market than the more desirable red-on-red
bucket seat 4-speed example, it looks like there
is life after 2008.
#F198-1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI ‘CUDA
2-dr hard top. S/N BS23R0B292572. Lemon
Twist/black leather. Odo: 43,077 miles. 426-ci
V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. High-quality older restora-
94
Group, console, deluxe seatbelts, power steering,
Sports Deck rear seat, rear spoiler, AM/8track,
tinted glass, and Magnum 500 wheels, as
confirmed by shipping invoices, build sheets,
and Marti Report. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT
$44,000. Last seen at Silver's 2010 Hot August
Nights auction, being a no-sale at $50k out
there (SCM# 172306). Traveling further east, it
did not fare any better, proving that Boss cars
haven't yet started gaining on their previous
values.
#S283-1971 FOYT COYOTE USAC
Indy 500 spec racer. S/N N/A. Orange/black
vinyl. MHD. Recently authentically restored to
same configuration as when it raced two consecutive
4-cam
Indianapolis 500s. Equipped with
Ford V8 with Hewland transaxle.
show standard. Newer stock exhaust system.
Seat bottom leather lightly wrinkled. Cond: 2.
NOT SOLD AT $67,000. Featured at the
National Corvette Museum, in the 2003
Bloomington Gold Special Collection, and in a
1987 suit filed against GM, when the C4 convertible
went into production in 1986, as they
had declared this car in 1975 to be the last
Corvette convertible ever. As a singular piece
of Corvette history, the value will always be
based on what someone is willing to pay for it
and what the owner will accept. Today, the
value is somewhere between this bid and the
$115k reserve.
#F169-1975 PONTIAC TRANS AM
Yenko-modified coupe. S/N 2W87S5N520320.
Silver/black vinyl. Odo: 13,280 miles. 427-ci
Sports Car Market

RM Auctions Cernobbio, ITA
Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
This sale's average price was $1.4m—three times the average generally
seen during Monterey week, and ten times the average at Rétromobile 2011
Company
RM Auctions
Date
May 21, 2011
Location
Cernobbio, Italy
Auctioneer
Max Girardo
Automotive lots sold / offered
24/32
Sales rate
75%
Sales total
$33,436,750
High sale
1955 Ferrari 375 MM
Berlinetta, sold at $4,794,720
Buyer's premium
12%, included in sold prices
($1.00 = €0.70)
TZ-1 leading the pack
Report and photographs by Jérôme Hardy
Market opinions in italics
2007, it was the sale of the $4m McLaren
F1. Watching and hearing two Enzos at full
throttle on the Fiorano test track stuck with me
after the Maranello sale in 2008. And in 2009, it
was the unbelievable $12.4m sale price of the 1957
Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa in Maranello. For 2010, it
was Max Girardo's seven-hour auction marathon in
Monaco—truly a test of endurance.
This year's event, held alongside the Concorso
R
d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, was no exception, with an
average price of $1.4m, or a total mid-estimate of $53m
for an astonishing low selection of just 32 automobiles.
As a point of reference, that's three times the average
lot value generally seen during Monterey week, and ten
times the average lot value achieved at Rétromobile in
2011.
In any market, there is always demand for the best of
the best. Classic cars are no exception. As a result, 24 of
these exceptional motor cars changed hands in only two
hours for a total value of $33.4m, and, once again, with
a $1.4m average price for each car.
The date, the setting, the partners were all aligned
98
M Auctions' events in
Europe always seem to leave
lasting impressions on me. At
the inaugural London event in
Cernobbio, ITA
for such results: The highly regarded and exclusive Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este,
the gorgeous premises of Villa Erba, and corporate support from BMW all helped to
make this event a much richer experience overall than past RM sales. Even the weather
was compliant with RM Auctions' ambitions. RM put together a lavish catalog—much
more ornate than previous Monterey and Maranello catalogs—with eight pages on
average for each lot on offer.
Many of the cars at this inaugural auction had been presented already in
previous years at Villa d'Este. All 32 cars offered are described in the following
pages. One of the highlights was the Bertone concept collection,
including the Marzal and the Lancia HF Zero. Both sold well at $2.1m and
$1.1m, respectively, although I would have thought the Zero would do better
(see profile, p. 66). The cheapest car of the event was the 1978 Lancia Sibilo sold
for a comparably low $135,850.
The high sale was the 1955 Ferrari 375 MM in touring clothing at $4.8m, followed
by the curvaceous 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupé at $4.5m. I felt the
best buy of the event was the 1931 Minerva 8 AL Convertible Sedan at $751k.
Notable no-sales were few, but among them were the 1965 Ford GT40 Works pro-
totype roadster at $3m, a 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante coupe at $3m, and a 1953
Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta at $3.1m.
Exclusivity was paramount for this first-time event, and with that in mind, it was
no surprise to see RM achieve such high results here. After all, the best of the best
in the classic car market have not suffered the recent economic instability nearly as
much as mainstream lesser-priced collectibles—and this event clearly set out to provide
nothing but the best consignments. In the end, RM Auctions' motto of “Offering
the World's Finest Motor Cars” was exercised to its fullest, and the results achieved
reflected that. ♦
Sports Car Market

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RM Auctions Cernobbio, ITA
BELGIAN
BEST
BUY
#121-1931 MINERVA 8 AL convertible
sedan. S/N 80105. Eng. # 80116.
Two-tone green/green
fabric/light
green fabric. Odo: 7 km. One of only about 50
AL sleeve-valve L8 engine/chassis built by
Minerva from 1928 to 1932. Fitted with fantastic
Rollston Convertible Sedan coachwork with
razor-edge design and amazing detail. Original
car restored in 1998 in the U.S. to concours
Delivered new to a wealthy widower, with
canework, gold plating everywhere, and amazing
woodwork in rear compartment. Stunning
design with sporty rakish front and carriagelike
rear. Nut-and-bolt restored in 2002, R-R
Pebble Beach first place in 2003, a trailer queen
never on the road since. In same show condi-
condition, earned First in Class at Pebble
Beach, no deterioration since. Attractive period-correct
all-green color combo. This chassis
is the best of the best. Cond: 1. SOLD AT
$751,173. One of my favorites of the catalog.
Sold $150k below low estimate and a true bargain.
Beauty, rarity, originality, craftsmanship,
technical advancements: Across the board, it
was pretty much a five-star car.
ENGLISH
#128-1915 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP
SILVER GHOST limousine. S/N 2BD. Eng.
# 11B. Black & gold/black leather. RHD. Odo:
4,999 miles. A gift from the British government
to the Du Pont family for providing gunpowder
during WWI. As such, money was no object,
and this the best that could be built in England
at that time, with exquisite details. As often
with limousines, the current body is original
tion today as in 2003. History known. Cond: 1.
SOLD AT $719,208. Sold at low estimate.
These cars always beg the same question:
What to do with it besides concours and museum
displays? A similar Brewster Town Car—
albeit on a more modern PII chassis—sold at
RM's Monaco sale in 2010 for $1,975,792
(SCM# 162396). A good buy here at less than
half the price, although if it is just to impress
friends and have fun, a 1930 20/25hp Town Car
with cane work was sold by Bonhams at
Rétromobile 2011 for as low as $64,270 (SCM#
168828).
#131-1938 JAGUAR SS 3½ Liter coupe.
S/N 30182. Eng. # M229E. Dark blue/red
leather. RHD. Odo: 248 km. One-off five-seat
coupe coachwork by Graber on one of 2,500 or
so pre-war SS chassis. Attractive Art-Deco design.
Completely restored to a high level by
RM in 1994 for $270,000, followed by Meadow
Brook and Pebble Beach awards, probably
the only one with period racing SCCA history.
Refreshed some time ago, now with very nice
patina all around. Perspex windshield. Engine
bay and undercarriage clean and oily. Eight
inches of front valance was ripped off between
catalog photo and auction. Cond: 3. SOLD AT
$958,944. A very rare and original exotic racer
with a nice story to tell, and a future entrant at
Villa d'Este Concorso or Monterey Historics,
or anywhere. A similar car, LML502, fully restored,
was sold at Christie's Pebble Beach
sale in 2002 for $387,000 (SCM# 29038). Sold
at low estimate.
#106-1955 BENTLEY R-TYPE
Continental coupe. S/N BC9LE. Eng. #
BCE9. Black/tan leather. Odo: 77,819 km. The
last R-type Bentley Continental of 208, and the
last of five coachbuilt by Franay. Alloy
coachwork with delicate fins, body exquisite.
Not a frame-off restoration, but nonetheless
done to very high levels some years ago. Still
excellent, but veneer cracked on top of dash.
Engine bay spotless. Undercarriage of a driver.
Full options include 4.9-L engine, lightweight
seats, and auto box. History clear. An ultimate
and still on the original
chassis and gear.
Restored to a high level in the '90s. Very large,
airy, luxurious, and slow. A show car. Cond:
2+. NOT SOLD AT $627,880. Fell short of the
$750k low estimate by $122k. Asking price may
have been on the high side for a chauffeurdriven
Brass Era car. Bonhams sold a similar
Sedanca at their December 2010 Brooklands
sale for $655,271 (SCM# 168188).
#104-1929 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM
I town car. S/N S390LR. Eng. # 21909. Black
& cane/black leather. Odo: 71,327 miles. One
of 10 Brewster Town Cars built on R-R chassis.
100
barely on the road since. Still splendid paint,
chrome, and gorgeous red interior. Has lost its
bumpers. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $299,670.
Sold recently at RM's 2010 Monterey sale for
$385k and offered here with 5 kms added for
$50k more. Did not work, although I would
have to call it a fair shot. Someone failed to
make their quick buck here.
#123-1954 ASTON MARTIN DB2/4
Arnolt / Bertone Competition Spider. S/N
LML507. Eng. # VB6J89. Red/red vinyl. RHD.
Odo: 14,460 miles. One of three spiders by
American importer Arnolt with Bertone spider
coachwork, along with two touring cars, built
before the Arnolt/Aston deal ended. Supposedly
grand tourer. Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT
$677,825. A Mulliner R-type in lesser condition
sold three months ago for $770k at
Gooding's February 2011 Amelia Island sale
(SCM# 176317), and this one came up short of
its low estimate by $150k. These exceptional
automobiles have always been highly praised
by collectors, and the owner was right keeping
it. It will not lose value with time.
FRENCH
#115-1935 HISPANO-SUIZA J12 TYPE
68 cabriolet de ville. S/N 13506. Eng. #
321099. Black/red leather. RHD. Odo: 811 km.
A partial restoration, based on condition of undercarriage.
Some details such as strange mascot
and unimpressive dash challenge overall
impression of high quality. Still, an imposing
car. Was part of the O'Quinn Collection. Cond:
2+. SOLD AT $759,164. The J12 Type 68 was
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RM Auctions Cernobbio, ITA
one of the world's best chassis and engines, and
very expensive, too. As such, they usually were
graced by sumptuous coachwork. Not so here,
as the Saoutchik Cabriolet de Ville is somewhat
ungraceful, without a particularly strong sense
of style. Sold below low estimate and may be
worth investing to bring it up to peak condition.
#107-1937 BUGATTI 57SC Atalante
coupe. S/N 57551. Eng. # 30S. Two-tone
yellow/tan leather. RHD. Odo: 1,687 km. One
of 17 original Atalantes on one of 40 S chassis,
history known. Upgraded to C specs during
nut-and-bolt concours restoration in 1976 for
Bill Harrah, won Pebble in 1976, in the same
condition today. Not original engine block, nor
gearbox. Body remodified multiple times over
lifespan. Gorgeous Jean Bugatti style, although
(SCM# 42661). It was then a beautiful dark
blue car with tan leather and a completely different
front end and rear brightwork, fresh out
of a nut-and-bolt high level restoration. Then,
Atelier Tessier was tapped to put it back to
1938 Paris show condition, and the car was
once more completely dismantled and rebuilt to
look as it did here—a 3,000-hour process that
cost $400,000. It failed to sell, coming shy of
the $1.3m low estimate.
#127-1938 TALBOT-LAGO T150C
SS Teardrop coupe. S/N 90112. Eng. #
85470. Two-tone gray/red leather &
carpet. RHD. Odo: 891 km. One of 16 Figoni
Teardrops, one of eleven “New York style”
second-series cars. Nut-and-bolt restoration by
RM to the highest levels in 2009. Never driven
since except on red carpets and for Pebble
Beach requirements. Triple award-winner in
TOP 10
No. 2
$1,347,500 at RM Amelia Island in 2007
(SCM# 44695). Then $400k was spent rebuilding
the car, including a complete new nose,
brightwork and all, refinished in red. A very
good buy compared to similar 49197, sold for
$2,431,744 at RM Monte Carlo in 2010 (SCM#
162394).
GERMAN
TOP 10
No. 6
#116-1937 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K
cabriolet. S/N 154081. Eng. # 154081.
Midnight
blue/blue
canvas/cream
leather. RHD. Odo: 21,673 miles. One of 83
Cabriolet As, considered the most desirable
540K body style. First owner was a prince of
India. Restored nut-and-bolt by RM in 2002 on
well preserved original with odo reset to zero.
Won Pebble Beach in 2002. Today, the 21,673
lower door would benefit from a less angular
treatment. A beautiful automobile. Cond: 1-.
NOT SOLD AT $2,996,700. Missed the
$4.6m–$6m pre-sale estimate by a wide margin.
It also failed to sell at RM's Phoenix sale in
2009 at $4.5m. With the similar Williamson
selling for $7.9m three years ago (SCM#
117576) and the derelict Lord Howe for $4.4m
in 2009 (SCM# 119703), there may be more to
the story of 57551 that I'm not privy to.
#119-1938 DELAHAYE TYPE 135MS
coupe. S/N 60112. Eng. # 103364. Ivory/red &
white leather. RHD. Odo: 1,367 km. Very much
like a Jeancart Talbot teardrop design but for
the more conventional side window, also by
Figoni & Falaschi. Nut-and-bolt restored to
highest possible levels by French specialists
Tessier, under Figoni supervision based on period
documentation, and today as presented by
Figoni at the 1938 Paris Auto show. Beautiful
in every aspect with the best MS specifications:
3 carbs, Cotal gearbox. A future Ville d'Este
and Pebble Beach contender. Cond: 1. NOT
SOLD AT $1,184,410. Life is not fair, even
when money is no object. The late John
O'Quinn acquired 60112 at Bonhams' Quail
Lodge sale in Monterey in 2006 for $1,712,000
102
2009 at Pebble and in 2010 at Meadow Brook.
Equipped with Wilson 4-speed pre-selector
gearbox and open roof. Complete in every detail.
Sober-looking in gray. History known and
rather clear. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $4,475,072.
RM sold #90034 for $4.6m in August at
Monterey (SCM# 165601), so for a show-quality
Teardrop, this was about the current price.
It also made the preserved and unrestored
#90120 Pourtout/Paulin look like a real deal at
$4.8m in 2008 (SCM# 117446).
#118-1939 DELAHAYE 135 MS
roadster. S/N 60158. Eng. # 103349.
Red/red leather. Odo: 335 km. Figoni &
Falaschi roadster on an SWB 135 Delahaye
chassis. Sporty looking. Just out of high level
nut-and-bolt restoration by French specialist
Tessier (same as lot #119). Wavy bumper
chrome only
TOP 10
No. 7
detractor. Completely redone
based on Figoni records. History known. Cond:
1. SOLD AT $1,118,768. Sold at low estimate
and, despite the $400k complete rebuild, below
its 2007 price. 60158, then dark blue, was nutand-bolt
restored in 2000, then sold for $1.1m
at Gooding's 2006 Pebble Beach sale (SCM#
42592). Acquired by O'Quinn in 2007 for
Sports Car Market
miles on the odo proves it's a concours-winner
as well as a touring car. Germany at its best.
Cond: 1. SOLD AT $1,997,800. Blue-chip car,
sold at low estimate, in alignment with recent
results for similar cars: a 1937 sold for
$2,145,000 at Gooding's 2010 Pebble Beach
sale (SCM# 1657760); and a 1936 sold for
$2,035,000 at RM's 2008 Phoenix sale (SCM#
48635).
TOP 10
No. 9
#129-1957 BMW 507 convertible. S/N
70048. Eng. # 40052. White/blue
leather. Odo: 89,888 km. Alloy body
looks good. Fully original, never restored but
for one respray. Paint and glass OK, chrome

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RM Auctions Cernobbio, ITA
redone but wavy, rubber dry. Interior shabby,
with cardboard-like blue leather and dirty carpets.
Hard and soft tops included, original
Becker
radio, luggage
rack on trunk.
Undercarriage salty, engine bay of a driver, on
old original nylon tires. History simple and
clear. A candidate for preservation class. Cond:
3+. SOLD AT $1,038,856. Commercially unsuccessful
when new, only 251 units were built
from 1955 to 1959. The cars were very expensive
and build quality was not top-notch, making
a 1957 300SL roadster the much better
choice then. Sold $200k above high estimate
today, a testament to the market's ravenous
demand for original cars, which I believe is a
long-term trend. RM sold a mint 507 three
years ago for $893k. A safe buy.
ITALIAN
#114-1953 FERRARI 250 MM coupe.
S/N 0352MM. Eng. # 0239EU. Red/brown
leather. RHD. Odo: 609 km. One of 18 berlinetta
coupes out of 31 250 MMs built. History
known. Raced by privateer Echeverria, finished
7th in 1953 Panamericana in today's livery.
Restored multiple times, most recently in late
1990s to highest levels in period racing style
with modern harness. Presented at Pebble
Many styling cues of what would define the
Pinin Farina Ferrari style. History fully known.
Restored in 2002 to current high level and a
worldwide concours winner. Today, a 375 wolf
in sheep's white-and-blue clothing, ready for
just about anything. Cond: 1. SOLD AT
$4,794,720. The market-correct high sale of
the event. Price was in line with the $4.6m paid
for chassis 0416AM, the similar but less stunning
white 1954 375 MM sold by RM at
Monterey in 2010 (SCM# 165600).
TOP 10
No. 3
#132-1957 FERRARI 500 TRC racer.
S/N 0670MDTR. Eng. # 0670MDTR.
Red & yellow/red leather. RHD. One of
19 TRCs built 1957, history known. Used
heavily in period Italian races, including five
Targa Florios, and many times afterwards in
historic racing. Fully restored in 2003 in the
U.S. for about $500k and has been shown at
Cavallino. A beautiful, powerful (albeit difficult
to control, as I was told), historically important
Ferrari racer. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
above the $2.85m high estimate, suggesting
that the time and money spent on the dash
bulbs was worth it. Sometimes, quality pays
tenfold. RM failed to sell the car, in slightly less
perfect order, in March 2009 at Amelia Island
with a high bid of $1.9m (SCM# 119840). I am
quite sure the owner had another 250 Cal just
for driving. I hope the new owner also has one.
#102-1962 ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA
SPRINT Zagato Coda Tronca coupe. S/N
AR1012600184. Red/black vinyl. Odo: 4,035
km. One of about 200 Sprint Zagatos and only
30 built in Coda Tronca form. No racing history
known. Restored in 1989 in the Netherlands
with replacement of panels and a rebuilt correct-type
race-prepped engine. Roll bar, modern
harness, nice racy interior with metal dash.
Hillclimbed in 2006. Engine re-rebuilt in 2009.
Beach in 2002, gently raced in Monterey historics
in 2004. Still immaculate today, in and
out. Concours and race ready. Cond: 1. NOT
SOLD AT $3,068,050. I saw this driven in
Cernobbio by an RM crew member from exhibit
to truck, and gosh it pushed hard. What a
sound. Missed low estimate by $500k. RM sold
a similar chassis and body with a 340 and more
significant racing history for $5.7m in 2007
(SCM# 45354). Worth the low estimate; seller
was correct to wait.
TOP 10
No. 1
#120-1955 FERRARI 375 MM coupe.
S/N 0490AM. Eng. # 0490AM. Ivory &
blue/tan leather. RHD. Odo: 24,011 km.
Last of ten 375 MM berlinettas. Most were racers;
this one was the 1955 Turin Auto show car
and touring car, therefore high on originality.
$3,995,600. Last sold in 2006 at RM Monterey
for $2,285,500 (SCM# 42568). Then, a no-sale
at Gooding's 2008 Pebble Beach sale at
$3,200,000, with race numbers painted on
(SCM# 117595). My report at that time read,
“A $800k gain in two years looks OK to me, but
the current owner may be right in waiting for
an even better return.” How about a $1.7m
gain in 5 years? I wish the same good luck to
the new owner. See the profile on p. 54.
TOP 10
No. 4
#122-1959 FERRARI 250 GT LWB
California Spyder. S/N 1307GT. Eng.
# 1307GT. Dark blue/silver hard
top/black leather. Odo: 9,072 km. 23rd of 50
LWB Cal Spyders built in 1959. Clear history,
a rich-boy car all its life, today the epitome of
“trailer queen.” Restored to highest possible
levels, down to gauge lights matched to develop
the exact same brilliance. Undercarriage
like silverware, engine bay sterile. A car not to
be driven, not to be touched, just to be looked
at. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $3,596,040. Sold $700k
Today a ready-to-enjoy wind cheating alloy
Zagato in perfect aesthetic and running order.
Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $367,453. This
missed the low estimate by just $4,000. Here is
the bottom of pricing for a real race machine
TZ, while the SZ is more of an upgraded
Guilietta. The car was on Fantasy Junction
website not long ago with 255 fewer km. Should
definitively have sold.
#111-1963 CHEVROLET TESTUDO
Bertone concept coupe. S/N 20927W207657.
White/black leather. Odo: 1,442 miles. Said to
be the first project from Giugiaro, freshly hired
by Bertone at age 25. Giugiaro received Car
Designer of the Century award in 1999.
“Turtle” nickname not inappropriate, car did
not make production in any form. Fully restored
in 1990s after being stored wrecked for
20 years, it made Pebble Beach in 2006. Today
presents as mint, inside and out. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $479,472. Even though it did not
lead to a production car, elements of the
Testudo were still obviously seized upon and
influential. Sold well below the low estimate for
a reason that I do not understand. Very well
bought. See Collecting Thoughts p. 64.
104
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RM Auctions Cernobbio, ITA
#103-1963 FERRARI 250 GT/L Lusso
coupe. S/N 5191GT. Eng. # 5191GT.
Red/brown leather. Odo: 96,165 km. One of
350. Restored to good standard some years
ago, then used. Good panel fit and paint,
chrome still excellent, Rosso Corsa looks a little
light. Not perfect anymore, with dirty carpets,
dash stitches missing, and other minor
blemishes. Engine bay and undercarriage
clean. History documented. A very nice touring
car. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $719,208. Here we
are, back to 2008 levels. The challenge here is
that using the car will slowly take the restoration
off, while making it concours will just put
you underwater at this price. New owner better
drive it.
#126-1964 ALFA ROMEO TZ-1 coupe.
S/N 750006. Red/fabric. Odo: 13,881 km. Said
to be a real TZ-1, with history known from day
one. Extensively successfully raced in A-class
races in the early years, retired in 1968.
Completely rebuilt with new alloy skin in 2000
in the Netherlands back to 1964 Le Mans livery,
and thoroughly raced again, in particular at
the Le Mans Classic in 2010. Also took first in
class at the Le Mans Classic Heritage Concours.
Good paint, Perspex hazed and scratched.
without reserve. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT
$279,692. With its spaciousness, Colombo
V12, rear mounted 5-speed, all-independent
suspension, and 4 discs, the 330 GTC has always
been in the shadow of its similar spec,
more numerous contemporary, the 275 GTB,
selling for about third of the price. A little bit
expensive, but no harm done.
TOP 10
No. 10
#130-1967 FERRARI 275 GTB/4
coupe. S/N 09495. Eng. # 09495.
Red/brown leather. Odo: 4,301 km. One
of 330 GTB/4s built. History clear but without
celebrity. Many hues over the years, but nutand-bolt
restored to highest levels and correctness
after 2005 in Italy. Barely driven since.
Too bad about the a/c retrofit, although very
the Marzal when launched in 1967, as it was
highly publicized. More of a prototype than
pure concept, this usable, one-of-a-kind sculpture
sold mid-estimate. Well bought. See
Collecting Thoughts p. 64.
#124-1968 BIZZARRINI 5300 GT
STRADA coupe. S/N 1A30314. Eng. #
1298V0423W. Green/tan leather. Odo: 3,175
km. One of very last alloy-bodied Stradas. Nutand-bolt
restored in Italy to high levels in 2000,
still close to perfect inside and out. Strange
green color. Undercarriage shows some road
use. An Italian-designed racing car for the road,
powered by 327-ci Corvette engine, which is
potent, flexible, and reliable. Retrofitted with
a/c. A candidate for any concours. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $570,800. What you lose in public
recognition compared with a Ferrari or Lambo
is gained in exclusivity and a story to tell to
connoisseurs. A market-correct price, but still
expensive to my eye for what remains an impractical
(even with a/c), less brilliantly styled
touring car, as you can buy two gorgeous
Ferrari 512 BBs for this money. Well sold.
TOP 10
No. 8
well done. (You should be sweating if you're
driving a 275 GTB/4.) Matching numbers. Set
of alloys included. Nice color combo. Cond: 1.
SOLD AT $963,225. The ultimate classic touring
Ferrari. Sold in a post-block transaction
$50k under the low estimate. 275 GTBs are
back to 2008 levels, making this a market-correct
price.
TOP 10
No. 5
Interior shabby with tired seats of mismatched
fabrics. A real efficient race car in race car condition,
ready to go. Cond: 3. SOLD AT
$895,014. With far more TZs on the track today
than the mere 113 built from 1963 to 1965, authenticity
is key. 750006 went through all the
loops in Italy
to
get
its
Alfa-Romeo
Certificazione di Authentica. So assuming this
is the real thing, the above-high estimate price
paid was fine.
#101-1966 FERRARI 330 GTC coupe.
S/N 09111. Eng. # 09111. Red/cream leather.
Odo: 96,165 km. Said to be one of 600 GTCs
built. Originally gray and sold in Italy.
Repainted in red in 1980s to then-correct standards,
has softly aged since. Matching-number
engine rebuilt in 2005. Engine bay and undercarriage
clean. Today a very sharp red 330
GTC ready to be enjoyed on the road. Offered
106
tionary here. Too bad it's not road-legal. Cond:
2. SOLD AT $2,157,624. I remember vividly
Fully restored by Bertone in 2000 and now
presents as perfect throughout, save for drivergrade
engine bay. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$1,086,803. I saw the car driven along the
streets of Cernobbio on its way to the trailer.
Amazing. Just like lot 112, a piece of art in immaculate
condition that's absolutely drivable
(if not legally). Well bought at $335k under the
$1.42m low estimate. See the profile on p. 60.
Sports Car Market
#112-1967 LAMBORGHINI
MARZAL Bertone concept coupe.
S/N 10001. Eng. # 50001. White/silver
vinyl. Odo: 474 km. A great, fully drivable
concept car, which gave birth to the Espada,
although engine had to move up front, and
gullwing glass doors were let go. Excellent
condition. Odo shows 474 kms, while trip
meter mysteriously shows 522. Abundant use
of glass is common these days, but was revolu-
#113-1970 LANCIA STRATOS HF
Zero concept coupe. S/N C1160.
Bronze/black leather. Odo: 43,210 km.
A fully functional mid-engined supercar, 33
inches at highest point, driver lies just behind
front axle. Designed, at least partly, in pursuit
of lowest possible height for a drivable, closed
automobile. Steering wheel pivots to allow entrance
and exit through windshield. Packed
with a ton of new ideas, some of which made it
to production, such as LED-like rear taillights.

Auctions America by RM Auburn, IN
Auburn Spring 2011
There was an eclectic range of consignments offered at this first spring sale,
including one of twelve original GM Futurliner Parade of Progress vehicles
Company
Auctions America by RM
Date
May 12–15, 2011
Location
Auburn, IN
Auctioneer
Brent Earlywine
Automotive lots sold / offered
244/424
Sales rate
58%
Sales total
$6,724,835
High sale
1932 Duesenberg Model J
Sedan, sold at $404,250
1965 Shelby GT350—$247,500
Report and photos by Kevin Coakley
Market opinions in italics
T
his year's Auburn spring auction opened
with Auction America's president Donnie
Gould welcoming the crowd to the newly
reborn Auburn Auction Park. RM ac-
quired the facility less than a year ago in the
wake of the Kruse International meltdown, and
the company immediately poured $1.5m into
the facility, addressing several maintenance and
infrastructure issues as well as sprucing it up
with 3,000 gallons of interior and exterior paint
and 250,000 square feet of pavement.
Following 60 days of the deal
clos-
ing and many hours of intensive labor,
Auctions America held their first event in
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in early March, where
47% of the 878 consignments sold for a total in excess
of $13m. Along with the kick-off of the venue, RM also
launched their Auctions America brand with sights
firmly set on the middle market segment, leaving RM to
handle high-end catalog events.
Saturday morning at the Auburn sale opened in the
main hall with a panel discussion. Participants included
baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, Wayne Carini
from HD Network's “Chasing Classic Cars” and automotive
archeologist Joe Bortz, all discussing how they
were drawn into the hobby at an early age and where
they see it going in the future. Auctions America also
used this venue to roll out their vintage motorcycle division,
led by Glenn Bator, who was on hand all weekend
displaying several interesting vintage motorcycles and
110
Auburn, IN
promoting the upcoming inaugural event to be held in conjunction with the
Auburn Fall Collector Car Auction in September.
There was an eclectic range of consignments offered at this first spring
sale, including one of twelve original GM Futurliner Parade of Progress
vehicles. It was a no-sale with a high bid of $340,000. Considering the cost
of transportation and how much restoration work is needed, someone with
some deep pockets and a love of projects will need to step up to take it on.
Reggie Jackson also brought some cars to sell, offering a 24-hour full-
money-back guarantee from the podium if new owners didn't find the
cars to be 100% as advertised. Two of Mr. October's three consignments
sold, including a very nice 1965 Pontiac GTO, which made $67,100, and
a 1965 Shelby Mustang that sold at $247,500. The third, a very clean 1968
Chevy C10 pickup with just 25,000 original miles, was bid to $19,000 but
was unsold.
High sale of the weekend was a nicely done 1932 Duesenberg Model J Sedan,
which seemed like a steal at $404,250. But with
these cars, the devil is in the details, and this one
was advertised with “sedan coachwork in the style
of Derham,” (probably indicating that it was a rebody
of unknown origin) which I think held it back
from its true market potential.
All things considered and some rough weather
notwithstanding, Auctions America should be
pleased with this year's $6.7m end result, as it was
slightly higher than what Kruse International was
able to achieve here in both 2006 and 2007. But
there is still room to grow, and Auctions America
is committed to backing this sale with the resources
required to make it one of the “go to” collector car
destinations in the future. ♦
Sales Totals
$2
$4
$6
$8
2011
2007
2006
2005
Buyer's premium
10%, included in sold prices
Sports Car Market
Kruse
Kruse
Kruse
AA

Page 110

Auctions America by RM Auburn, IN
GERMAN
#387-1962 MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL
convertible.
S/N 12104010024274.
White/black cloth/red & white leather. Odo:
13,974 km. Nice paint with some minor touchups.
Good chrome and stainless trim, although
hubcaps are pretty banged up. Too much shine
on tires. Presentable engine bay. Delaminating
Offenhauser 8:1 aluminum heads, intake and
race cam. Columbia overdrive rear axle (4.11–
2.73). Wheel Vintiques steel wheels with U.S.
steps pitted. Front fender welting coming out,
vent glass starting to delaminate. Equipped
with Cadillac 500-ci engine, Ford 9-inch rear
end, and 4-wheel power disc brakes. JC
Whitney hood port holes don't help the presentation.
Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $19,500.
Falling short of the optimistic pre-bid estimate
of $30k, this was a good example of a project
only a mother could love. I'm sure the money
offered was nowhere near the investment, but
even so, I'd call it generous. Good luck trying
to match it.
#686-1952 HUDSON WASP convertible.
windshield. Interior very nice with fresh
leather, gauge glass fogged in dash. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $47,300. Kind of a Plain Jane offering,
but it came with both the soft and hard
tops. You'd have to go a long way to beat this
deal. Lots of upside here.
#315-1967
VOLKSWAGEN
TRANSPORTER microbus. S/N 237098408.
Green & white/green & white vinyl. Odo:
43,099 miles. Minor paint blisters on engine
hatch, scratches and touch-ups on rain gutter
where luggage rack was originally mounted.
Green overspray in door jambs, some delamination
and scratches in glass. Top-mounted
luggage rack, trim in good condition, Spartan
interior is very clean and hemp floor mats are a
Royal wide whitewalls. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT
$41,250. Selling well below the low estimate of
$70k, this was one of the nicest hot rods I'd
seen in a while. I must admit I'm not a fan of
flames in general, especially when the theme is
carried into the driving compartment. But if
you wanted a proper hot rod roadster, this was
a screaming deal.
#457-1940 GM FUTURLINER bus. S/N
ADF859017. Red & white. MHD. Many dents,
holes, patches, touch-ups, etc. Includes most of
its original trim. New plexiglas windshield,
new wide whites on freshly painted rims.
Doesn't currently run. Cond: 5. NOT SOLD
AT $340,000. One of twelve Futurliners campaigned
by GM from 1940 to 1956 for the
$55,000. There aren't a whole lot of these out
there to compare to this one. The auction guide
write-up claimed past ownership by Steve
McQueen and an appearance on the “Laverne
& Shirley” show in 1974, and not much else. I
thought it was a very sharp car and it sold right
at the low estimate of $55k. Well bought.
nice touch. Right windshield wiper mounted
way too low and sits off the glass when parked.
Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $25,000. What, no
surfboard? This was a very nicely presented
bus with an attractive color combination. But,
as this wasn't one of the 21-window examples
we've been seeing sell for high prices these
days, the high bid should have gotten the deal
done.
AMERICAN
#432-1932 FORD HIBOY custom road-
ster.
S/N 18130722.
Black & orange
flames/black cloth/black leather. Odo: 3,605
miles. 276-ci V8, 3x1-bbl, 3-sp. Beautiful paint
job, nice panel and door fit. Flathead fitted with
112
“Parade of Progress” traveling show previewing
the latest designs and technology. Said to
be the best of five previously owned by automotive
archeologist Joe Bortz, who sold this to its
current owner. Yes, a restored version of this
Futurliner sold at B-J Scottsdale for $4.3 million
in 2006 (SCM# 40076). How much does it
cost to get into this club? Apparently more than
$340k, and that is just the start. But you'll be in
some pretty exclusive company.
#440-1948 WILLYS JEEPSTER Custom
convertible. S/N GPA2641. Red & black/black
cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 2,207 miles. 500-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Good paint shows minor chips here
and there. Chrome and stainless OK, fender
lenses cracked and cloudy. Interior chrome trim
rough, cat whiskers popping out, aftermarket
AM/FM cassette deck mounted under dash.
Grungy engine bay with aftermarket battery.
Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $38,500. The hard parts
of this car were already done, and it really
wouldn't take too much money and elbow
grease to bring it up a couple notches, increasing
the value exponentially. Looked like a fair
sale both ways.
Sports Car Market
vertible. S/N 7C5015697. Seminole Red &
white/white
Chrome
stainless
pitted
and
miles. 322-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Driver-grade
paint.
#460-1956 BUICK ROADMASTER concloth/red
leather. Odo: 89,485
and
scratched, glass scratched and delaminated.
Horrible door fit, otherwise gaps OK. Signal
S/N 5B189245. Dark gray & black/black
cloth/gray vinyl. Odo: 95,811 miles. 262-ci I6,
1-bbl, 3-sp. Beautiful two-tone gray over black
paint. Left door out at bottom. Exterior visor a
nice addition. Very good chrome and stainless
trim, nice engine bay could use a good wipe
down. Appealing Art Deco dash; minor cracks
in steering wheel are the only issues inside a
very
nice
interior. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT

Page 112

Auctions America by RM Auburn, IN
#477-1957 CADILLAC ELDORADO
Biarritz convertible. S/N 5762091681.
Dakota Red/red & white leather. Odo: 74,248
miles. 365-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Paint very
nice, trunk fit tight at right front edge. Chrome
and stainless (and there's a lot of it) show very
well with some minor pitting and scratches.
filthy, interior doesn't look much better than
the exterior. Cond: 5. SOLD AT $35,750. I
Equipped with fiberglass parade boot. Nothing
to fault in beautiful interior. Cond: 2-. NOT
SOLD AT $74,000. Last appears in SCM database
as a $41k no-sale at the eBay/Kruse sale
in Scottsdale, January 2002 (SCM# 25434). No
serious real interest in the room today. These
regularly trade over $100k on their worst days,
so I can't blame the owner for hanging on to
this one.
#462-1957 CADILLAC ELDORADO
Brougham 4-dr hard top. S/N 5770080170.
Bahama Blue/stainless steel/dark blue & white
leather. Odo: 75,117 miles. 365-ci V8, 2x4-bbl,
auto. Heavy pitting of all pot metal bits inside
and out (and there are a lot of them). Bumpers
need to be rechromed, all stainless needs
straightening and polishing.
Paint
cracked,
chipped, scratched, and crazed. Engine bay
happened to be reading the “Comments With
Your Renewal” section of the June 2011 edition
of SCM this week, and I came across a comment
requesting more “fright pig” coverage.
Well Mr. David Paynter of Larksburg, CA,
how's this for keeping it real? This seemed like
a lot of money for one heck of a project. Well
sold.
Brougham 4-dr sedan. S/N 58PO32419.
Sable
leather.
#475-1958 CADILLAC ELDORADO
Black/stainless/white
Odo:
75,451 miles. 365-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Good
driver-quality paint. Chrome and stainless exhibit
minor scratching, pitting, and crazing
throughout, stainless top needs a good polish.
Windshield wiper scratches and delamination.
Interior very nice with unblemished dash pad.
Grungy engine bay. Equipped with a/c, power
steering, power brakes, and memory seat.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $71,500. Coming in just
over the low estimate of $70k, this looked like a
Delco battery. Continental kit. Weatherstrips a
little rough. Excellent interior with very desirable
tissue dispenser. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD
AT $29,000. Convertible versions have been
trading pretty regularly north of $100k, but the
lackluster lump under the hood is going to hold
this one back. I agree $29k wasn't enough;
somewhere in the $40k range would seem right
to me.
#517-1960 CHRYSLER CROWN
IMPERIAL convertible. S/N 9204111678.
Reliant Red/white cloth/white & black leather.
Odo: 61,700 miles. 413-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Beautiful paint, good panel gaps all around.
Shiny bits as new. Engine bay nicely detailed
and original-looking, aside from NAPA battery.
Rear bumper mounted low on the right side.
Interior just needs a good cleaning. Convertible
much better deal than lot 462, the '57 Eldorado
Brougham four-door which sold for half as
much. Really good examples have pulled in
excess of $100k, although not lately. No harm
done here.
#393-1958 CHEVROLET IMPALA 2-dr
hard top. S/N F58F168995. Cashmere Blue &
white/tri-color blue cloth. Odo: 17,050 miles.
283-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Good paint, nice panel
fit. Driver-quality chrome and stainless. Minor
scratching in glass. Clean engine bay, although
some parts look a little too glossy. Modern
top rub wear on windshield surround. Cond:
2+. SOLD AT $82,500. Biggest fins ever, great
color combination, and owned by Hollywood
movie star Jack Palance until his passing in
2006. Restoration by the consignor was com-
114
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Page 114

Auctions America by RM Auburn, IN
pleted in 2007. It fell short of the pre-sale estimate
by almost $20k, so I'd call the price paid
a screaming deal.
hard top. S/N 9214107790. Butternut
Yellow/gold
#104-1961 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL 4-dr
leather & cloth. Odo: 54,305
miles. 413-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Chrome trim pitted,
stainless needs cleaning and polishing.
Paint chipped, scratched, and touched up all
over. Dent in right front door, rust through at
left front wheel arch. Filthy engine bay. Interior
estimate, this really nice presentation could
have easily made a #2 condition rating with
some new glass gaskets, glass polishing, and
an engine detail. The new owner should realize
some solid upside with minimal expense.
#481-1965 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard
bright, but driver's side of the seat is worn to
threads. Cond: 4-. SOLD AT $6,600. As it sat,
this wasn't a 10 footer, this was a 30 footer—
even at night. Tack $70k for a decent restoration
and you're upside down in a hurry. But you
could drive it as a preservation piece—at this
price, there's no harm in that.
#422-1961 OLDSMOBILE STARFIRE
convertible. S/N 616M03333. Provincial
White/red cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 43,250 miles.
394-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Good paint and gaps.
Right door closes hard and glass rattles in both
doors. Nice chrome, stainless and anodized
aluminum
could use some attention.
Serviceable engine bay, with engine dress up
and period-looking battery. Clean, nicely optioned
interior, with some pitting on horn ring.
carriage with new stainless steel dual exhaust,
Hurst mag rims with Redlines. Nicely detailed
engine bay, good weatherstrip felt and rubber
all around, pristine interior. Cond: 2+. SOLD
AT $67,100. One of the consignments from the
Reggie Jackson Collection, offered with a 24hour
money-back guarantee. Strong money for
a '65 GTO, but when you factor in the condition
of the car, the Tiger package, and past
owner provenance, I'd call it well bought and
sold.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $34,100. Described as
being restored “many years ago,” this was actually
holding up pretty well. The issues noted
above can all be taken care of pretty easily—all
it's going to take is time and money. This is not
a car your going to run into at many car shows,
and it's both interesting and attractive. A fair
deal both ways.
#419-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 40837S115949. Burgundy/black
leather. Odo: 44,793 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Superb paint over good prep, not
sure of color authenticity. Claimed to have new
suspension bushings, bearings, and ball joints.
Minor sanding marks in glass. Glass gaskets
cracking. Slightly grungy engine bay. Nice interior
with new carpet, radio delete. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $37,400. Coming in just above mid-
116
Sports Car Market
#480-1965 SHELBY GT350 fastback.
S/N SFM5S129. White & blue/black vinyl.
Odo: 86,806 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Left
door handle doesn't work, trunk and hood fit
way off. Clutch pedal missing pad, small tear
on passenger's seat. Engine bay in OK driver
condition. Fitted with dash pod-mounted tach.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $247,500. This was not
top. S/N CE1488S215655. Tiger Gold/black
vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 23,275 miles. 389-ci
V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Nice straight chrome and
stainless trim, minor paint chipping on tail trim
piece. Large gap under rocker panel trim where
fenders meet the body (not uncommon for
these cars). Nice vinyl top. Above-average
paint, clear glass, T-3 headlights. Clean under-
perfect, but it's a Shelby GT350 and it was
owned by Mr. October, Reggie Jackson. Chalk
this one up in the well sold column; similar
cars have been trading for $50k less.
#337-1965 SHELBY GT350 replica fast-
back. S/N 5R09A168521. White & blue/black
vinyl. Odo: 2,389 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Paint on hood doesn't match body. Some
cracking above back window. Big gaps between
headlight surrounds and fenders, passenger's
door drops when opened. OK chrome
and stainless trim, American Racing TorqThrust
rims. Grungy engine bay fitted with
aluminum Edelbrock Performer cylinder heads
and Demon carburetor. Nice plain interior fitted
with Stewart Warner gauges. Cond: 3. SOLD
AT $27,775. This one came in $3k short of the
low estimate. Overall not a bad presentation;
from 20 feet it looked like the real thing, and
considering what real ones go for in this market,
this was a bargain.
#525-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S122787. Rally
Red/black cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 75,279 miles.
327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Doors drop
when opened, glass rattles in doors. Good
chrome and stainless, weatherstripping pretty
much shot. New carpet, interior otherwise ac-
ceptable, with wear commensurate with age.
Steering column needs new bearings. Decent
engine bay. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $45,000.
No documentation on an average Corvette. For
a base-engined ‘67 in need of attention, $45k
should have gotten the deal done.
#404-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S118550. Rally

The Worldwide Group Seabrook, TX
The Houston Classic
A 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 from the Phil Silva Collection was the
top selling car of the event, finding new ownership at $236,500
Company
Worldwide Auctioneers
Date
April 30, 2011
Location
Seabrook, TX
Auctioneer
Rod Egan
Automotive lots sold / offered
95/125
Sales rate
76%
Sales total
$4,957,300
High sale
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
454 LS6 convertible, sold at
$236,500
Buyer's premium
1934 Bentley 3 1/2 Liter drophead coupe—$143,000
Report and photos by Carl Bomstead
Market opinions in italics
H
ouston Classic Auction has for many
years been held in conjunction with
the Keels & Wheels Concours
d'Elegance. It
is held at
the
Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, TX,
and the spectacular lakefront setting is
located on Clear Lake just south of Houston.
The famed NASA Johnson Space Center facility is
located just a few miles to the west.
Worldwide presented an interesting array of 125
collector cars and wooden boats at this year's event.
Six stellar muscle cars from the collection of Phil Silva
were offered, and of the group, three found new homes.
This included a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6
convertible, which was the top-selling car of the event
at $236,500. Silva did turn down an offer of $1,400,000
for his NHRA National record-holding 1970 Plymouth
Hemi ‘Cuda convertible, which was one of three documented
to have been produced in triple black. But it was
announced that the engine had been replaced with a
period-correct restamped date code block, which many
feel has an adverse effect on a muscle car's value.
Five very desirable ‘50s Cadillac convertibles were
offered, including the 2010 Cadillac-LaSalle Club Grand
National Best of Show winner, a 1958 Eldorado Biarritz
convertible. It, unfortunately, failed to sell when bid to
$180,000. Worldwide has had recent success with highend
late ‘50s Cadillacs, having sold a couple of '57s for
118
a great deal more than was offered here, so the seller was justified in not
accepting the offer. One of the two '54 Eldorado convertibles offered
did find a new home when bid to $110,000, but the other, which was
lacking a bit in the condition department, failed to sell at $85,000.
The most interesting offering was a 1952 Ford Crestliner Victoria
that had once been the demonstration car for the “Curvemaster,” a
device that supposedly prevented rollovers. It was highly documented
with newspaper and magazine articles, but the device had been removed
due to patent issues. It was highly modified with a nailhead V8, a/c and power
windows added. So for $19,800, the new owner has a “once was” car, some
clippings and a lots of explaining to do when he takes it out.
Although this year's $5m take paled in
comparison to last year's $9m from 161 sold
lots, the final total was actually almost identical
to what was achieved here in 2009, albeit
with a much more robust 76% sell-through rate
compared to 2009's 64%. And it's important to
note that 2010's sale included 71 cars from the
R.E. Monical Collection, which were sold at no
reserve and accounted for a significant amount
of that year's total.
The auction is now in its 16th year, and it
once again combined with Keels and Wheels
to bring a synergy to the weekend that's hard to
find elsewhere. With hundreds of spectacular
cars and boats in the Concours and a robust
auction just a stone's throw away, what is there
not to like? ♦
Sales Totals
$2m
$4m
$6m
$8m
$10m
$12m
0
Sports Car Market
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
10%, included in sold prices

Page 118

The Worldwide Group Seabrook, TX
ENGLISH
#35-1934 BENTLEY 3½ LITRE drop-
head coupe. S/N B203AE Eng. # N5BM. Red
& burgundy/Blackwood Burgundy vinyl/tan
leather. RHD. Odo: 90,318 km. Original
Hooper Sports Saloon coachwork replaced
with period-correct Park Ward body during
restoration, which was completed in 2009.
Paint to high standard and interior sparkles.
RM's 2010 Monterey sale for $77,500 (SCM#
165668). Driven zero miles since. A few years
back these were six-figure cars, but they need to
be a bunch better than this example. Seller was
looking for a quick flip, but missed the mark
here.
GERMAN
#85-1952 PORSCHE 356 ‘Pre A' coupe.
Engine clean with no issues noted. Bentley
emblem in door handles and embossed in
leather door panels. Original tool kit still present.
Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $143,000. A rather
over-the-top restoration for the Bentley purist.
Over $400,000 reportedly spent on restoration,
so no profit realized here.
#17-1953 JAGUAR XK 120 SE coupe.
S/N S681069 Eng. # W80908S. British Racing
Green/Biscuit
leather. Odo: 4,005
age.
Equipped
with
the
miles.
Restored in mid-'90s with limited use since.
Paint nicely maintained and shows well, considering
Special
Equipment 180-horse engine. Aluminum radiator
installed to help cope with problematic
heating issues. Minor stain on passenger's seat,
1. NOT SOLD AT $100,000. Early examples
of a 1500 coupe that are restored to this level
can bring $150,000, so the estimates were realistic
but the bidding was not. It takes a very
special buyer for a car like this, but if it's as
good as it looked, it will bring much more
money.
Window” cabriolet. S/N 494143 Eng. #
513506. Light blue/black
exceptional burl walnut veneer on dash and
window surrounds. Correct tool roll and jack. A
well presented example in proper livery. Cond:
2. SOLD AT $88,000. The XK 120, 140, and
150 fixed-head coupes have been appreciating
at a steady rate. Yesterday's silly money is today's
market price. No sign the the end is in
sight, so buy now if these are your thing. Price
paid was in line with reality.
#77-1953 NASH-HEALEY SERIES 25 Le
Mans coupe. S/N 3072. Black/brown leather.
Odo: 41,897 Refurbished in 2008 but paint
now a bit distressed. Very attractive leather interior.
Engine clean but not detailed. One of
about 506 coupes produced. Healey chassis
with Italian styling, and a Nash Ambassador
inline six under the hood. The “Le Mans Dual
Jetfire” adds another 15 horsepower. Cond: 2-.
NOT SOLD AT $75,000. I watched this sell at
120
#56-1957 BMW ISETTA 300 “Bubble
vinyl/blue
vinyl.
Odo: 52,153 miles. One of about 50 bubblewindow
cabriolets built. Powered by a twostroke
air-cooled engine. Steering wheel and
instruments mounted on front refrigerator door.
In very acceptable condition, with a few minor
S/N 11201 Eng. # 30139. Ivory/red vinyl. Odo:
7 miles. Very early split-window with body by
Reutter. Older restoration with recent disassembly
and respray in original color. Wood
door capping and trim. Porsche Heritage
Certificate. One of the earliest examples. Cond:
Impressive. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $162,250.
Last sold at Russo and Steele's 2009 Monterey
sale, where it realized $137,500 (SCM#
141229). The 356 market has been active for
very nice cars. Price paid here was a bit above
the current going rate, but the market could
quickly
catch up if 356s remain strong.
Speedsters, as always, lead the 356 market. See
the profile p. 70.
#46-1960 MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL
convertible.
Cream/black Haartz cloth/red
S/N 12104010021349.
leather. Odo:
87,863 miles. Single-family ownership for 50
years, restored to correct factory specifications.
Body straight and solid with no evidence of
rust or rot. Minor blemish on front bumper.
Converted from Solex carbs to twin Webers.
was the first bubble-window I recall selling.
Price paid seemed a bit on the light side, considering
how rare they are. The micro-car community
is very active, and the new owner will
be welcomed wherever he goes.
#68-1957 PORSCHE 356A 1600 S
Speedster. S/N 83898. Silver/black fabric/black
leather. Odo: 27,238 miles. Received a comprehensive
restoration in 2002 and well maintained
since. Kardex verifies it to be a true
Super Speedster. Fitted with coupe seats.
Shasta-built engine, history known from 1970s.
Complete with tool roll. An attractive smaller
sibling to the 300SL. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT
$67,100. As the values of 300SLs continue to
climb, the tide also raises the value of the
190SL. Solid examples have doubled over the
past seven years or so, and while they may be
under-powered, they nonetheless have the look.
Price paid here was not out of line.
ITALIAN
paint blemishes noted. Known as “The Rolling
Egg.” Cond: 2. SOLD AT $38,500. One Isetta
seems to appear at most every auction, but this
#38-1965 FERRARI 330 GT 2+2 coupe.
S/N 6137 Eng. # 6137. Maroon Cranberry/black
leather. Odo: 69,752 miles. Dual quad-headlamps
defined the Series 1 cars. Recent respray
in original Cranberry Maroon. Bumpers replated
and Borrani wires rebuilt. Original
leather
interior
in good order. Body
Sports Car Market

Page 120

The Worldwide Group Seabrook, TX
two known today. Fitted with reproduction
aluminum heads. Transmission replaced with a
1979–1984 Ford truck 4-speed. CCCA Senior
badge awarded in 2010. Cond: 2. SOLD AT
$220,000. The unusual color combination held
back the bidding activity here, but the new
owner can change to a more conservative color
and still be right-side-up. Indulging personal
whims can be costly in real estate as well as
collector cars.
straight and solid with no evidence of prior
damage. Engine bay in good order, with electronic
ignition added. One of the more popular
Ferraris. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $81,400. Price
paid was on the money for a 330 GT 2+2 coupe
in this condition. The five-speed would add a
bit, but with over 6,000 produced, they are not
hard to find, and the market is fairly consistent.
AMERICAN
#70-1934 CHRYSLER AIRFLOW 4-dr
sedan. S/N 6501075. Tan & brown/tan fabric
& leather. Odo: 56,214 miles. An older restoration
in questionable livery. Paint shows age, but
very nice interior. The Art Deco styling was
rejected by the buying public in its day, but is
now well accepted. Unibody construction pro-
#19-1937 PONTIAC DELUXE 4-dr con-
vertible. S/N 8CA35485. Black/tan canvas/tan
vinyl. Odo: 37,674 miles. An older body-off
restoration that now shows a bit of age. Low
mileage stated to be original. Has a number of
desirable
accessories,
including
dual
side-
Bronze Maroon livery. One of only 8,341
manufactured. An unusual original example, as
most were altered by customizers and hot rodders.
Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT $70,000.
Considering the well maintained condition of
this Mercury convertible, the bid should have
been another $10k–$15k if someone wanted to
drive it home. Seller should be able to get his
number, as this is a very desirable car.
mount antenna and front and rear bumper
guards. Dash redone to high standard. Right
front wind wing delaminating. Trim pitting in
several
areas. A very uncommon Pontiac.
Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $47,500. An unusual
Pontiac but not a CCCA Full Classic so limited
opportunities for tours and other activities.
Condition needed to be a touch better to be
worth much more than was bid here.
vided more uniform weight distribution. The
CU series is not accepted as Full Classic. Cond:
3. SOLD AT $41,800. A benchmark in automotive
styling that sold for a most reasonable
price. The CX and CW series bring the real
money, as they are CCCA Full Classics, but
this one will still cause a sensation wherever it
goes. Price paid was about right, so fair all
around.
#64-1936 PIERCE-ARROW SALON
TWELVE Model 1602 roadster. S/N 3130076
Eng. # 406205. Royal Maroon & Cafe au
Lait/tan canvas/tan leather. Odo: 88,330 miles.
Restored in 2007 in controversial color combination.
Connolly leather interior finished to
high standard. One of three examples built and
#62-1940 FORD STANDARD coupe. S/N
185617277. Black/tan fabric. Odo: 44,333
miles. Modified with 59AB motor for 15 additional
horsepower, plus other performance
tweaks. Original painted headlight-surrounds
replaced
with chromed Deluxe versions.
Bumper wing tips added front and rear. Minor
nailhead V8 with dual 4-barrels also added.
Paint, brightwork, and interior as expected for
a basically original car. Photos and newspaper
clippings included. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT
$19,800. The car sold for a price in line with an
average Crestliner Victoria without all
the
hype. Came nowhere near the pre-sale estimate,
but really, how much is the Curvemaster
car worth without the Curvemaster? I have to
think both the buyer and seller were unhappy
here.
#30-1954 CADILLAC ELDORADO con-
chips on glass, wind wing delaminating. Rust
forming on bumpers. Unusual fender skirts.
Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $35,000. Not modified
enough for the hot rodders and too much so
for the purist. Condition also left a bit to be
desired so potential buyers and the seller were
some distance apart.
#78-1950 MERCURY EIGHT convert-
ible. S/N 50SL21766M. Royal Bronze
Maroon/beige fabric/brown vinyl. Odo: 3,127
miles. An older restoration that has been well
maintained
and
122
is still
very presentable.
Sports Car Market
vertible. S/N 546253967. Alpine White/white
vinyl/red & white leather. Odo: 11,498 miles.
331-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Excellent panel fit.
Brightwork to high standard, distinctive anodized
aluminum trim on lower rear quarter panels.
Complete with three-piece parade boot.
Equipped with all the power goodies of the era.
#25-1952 FORD CRESTLINER
Curvemaster convertible. S/N B20A128314.
Black/white/black & white vinyl. Odo: 90,123
miles. 401-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Anti-roll invention
called the Curvemaster installed by
Arther Vogel when new. The device actually
worked, but has been removed due to patent
issues. Power windows and a/c added. Buick
Replacement two-tone seat covers. Excellent
panel fit and brightwork. Attractive Royal

Page 122

The Worldwide Group Seabrook, TX
Snakeskin appliques on dash with automatic
headlight dimmer. Properly fitted leather interior.
A strong example. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$110,000. This was last seen at Bonhams'
November 2010 LA sale, where it was a no-sale
at $82,000 (SCM# 167976). Driven 12 miles
since. The reporter at that time thought it was
worth six figures, and the bid today was spoton.
The seller's decision to wait proved wise
and profitable.
#27-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. S/N E54S001925. Pennant
Blue/beige vinyl. Odo: 227 miles. 235-ci 150hp
I6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Restored to factory specification
with limited use since. Correct Blue
Flame Six with matching-numbers components.
No NCRS or Bloomington judging
awards listed. Offered with aftermarket hard
top that is thought to have been with car since
new. One of about 300 finished in Pennant
Blue, but no factory records kept by GM. Cond:
Burgundy/white vinyl/maroon leather. Odo:
7,169 miles. 365-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. A recent
restoration to high standard. Body straight and
solid, windshield starting to delaminate, minor
pitting on windshield trim. Excellent leather
interior. Equipped with parade boot and power
For 1957 the E- and F-Birds bring the big
money. The price paid here for a well restored
example that was finished in an attractive livery
was about right, so fair all around.
#116-1958 BUICK ROADMASTER con-
vertible. S/N 7E607331. Light blue/dark blue
vinyl/blue leather. Odo: 4,495 miles. 364-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Restored about ten years back
and now showing signs of age. Wind wing delaminating
and window frame pitted. Chrome
lacking luster. Carpet dirty and button missing
everything. Chromium “sabre spoke” wheels.
One of only about 1,800 Biarritz convertibles
produced. A well presented Cadillac. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $143,000. The 325-horse dual
4-barrel was a desirable option for the Biarritz
in '57 but was lacking here. In 100-point condition,
these can push the $200k mark, but the
minor issues noted held this one back. All
things considered, a fair transaction.
#52-1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR con-
vertible. S/N 57F132008. Larkspur Blue/light
blue vinyl/two-tone blue vinyl. Odo: 370 miles.
283-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Recent restoration with
minimal use since. Top never down. Equipped
with power steering, power brakes, and factory
a/c. Dual rear aerials. A quality presentation
2+. SOLD AT $86,900. 1954 Corvettes have
been slipping a bit from their high of a few
years back. The hard top, while not as rare as
the “bubble top,” still added a bunch to the
package here. That, combined with the unusual
color and excellent condition, pushed this example
to a price not recently witnessed for a
'54. Well sold, indeed.
#84-1956 CHEVROLET NOMAD cus-
tom 2-dr wagon. S/N VC56K099102. Teal &
white/teal. Odo: 20,546 miles. 350-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. A Nomad resto-mod with Corvette
coves and Fuelie badges. Built in the late '90s
and now showing lack of attention. Very poor
paint prep, with dust and dirt in paint. LaCarrera
with little
to
fault. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT
$88,000. Period advertising called these “The
Hot Ones.” Price paid was about right for an
a/c-equipped car in this condition. Equipped
with the 250-hp engine or the 283 Fuelie, the
price goes up, but for a base-level engine, all
was square with the world here.
#18-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD con-
vertible. S/N D7FH152967. Willow Green/
Cumberland Green vinyl. Odo: 26,826 miles.
312-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Recent restoration included
paint and new brightwork. Equipped
with base V8 and Ford-O-Matic transmission.
Includes both tops, power windows/seats and
steering wheel filthy. Aftermarket a/c.
Unattractive sun visor. A nice Nomad gone
awry. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $50,600. If the
builder had just left this alone, he would have
been far better off financially. The Corvette
coves looked weird and added nothing to the
presentation. Seller was most fortunate to find
someone willing to step up for this one.
#81-1957 CADILLAC ELDORADO
Biarritz convertible. S/N 5762093492.
124
on seat. Numerous paint chips. Factory a/c and
lots of other power options. The 4,495 miles
since restoration completed have been hard indeed.
Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $60,000.
Considering the issues noted, the price bid
should have been close to getting the job done.
Bringing this back to its former glory will be a
long and expensive road.
#15-1958 CHEVROLET APACHE
pickup. S/N 3B58K135016. Pure White &
Cardinal Red/red & white vinyl. 235-ci I6,
2-bbl, 3-sp. Recent body-on restoration to very
presentable
standard.
Striking
paint
with
matching interior. Chrome bumpers front and
rear. Some overspray noted, trim pitted in sev-
eral areas. Oak wood bed too nice to carry
anything. Aftermarket radio. Very attractive,
and stated to be in good working order. Cond:
2. SOLD AT $24,750. I'm willing to bet the
cost of restoration exceeded what was realized
here. Want a pickup? This is the way to buy
one—let someone else take the hit. Well bought.
#125-1958 OLDSMOBILE SUPER 88
convertible. S/N 588M26452. Alaskan White
factory engine dress-up kit. Finished in attractive
Willow Green. Quality restortion of an attractive
T-Bird. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $53,900.
Sports Car Market

Page 124

The Worldwide Group Seabrook, TX
& Festival Red/Festival Red vinyl/red & white
leather. Odo: 65,859 miles. 371-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Less than 5,000 Super 88 convertibles
produced in 1958 and thought to be only 100 or
so left. This is an unrestored example with a
limited amount of cosmetic work perfomed.
Driver's window broken and trim pitted.
Convertible top filthy. Lots of power options.
Hydra-Matic transmission. Original interior
not torn or ripped. A project. Cond: 3-. SOLD
AT $43,450. In excellent condition these can
bring $70k–$80k, so this becomes a math test.
Can you do the work for $35k and stay above
water on this? I doubt it, so the new owner
might as well just do the obvious and drive the
wheels off of it.
#36-1958 PACKARD HAWK super-
charged coupe. S/N 58LS1112. Maroon/tan
vinyl. Odo: 68,024 miles. 289-ci supercharged
V8, auto. Fitted with a unique fiberglass nose
and McCulloch supercharger. Complete bodyoff
restoration completed in 2008. Traveled
about 100 miles since. Excellent paint but trim
neglected during restortion and is pitted. Trunk
rubber loose. Thought to be one of about 10 in
B9KW105864. Black & white/tan, black &
gold vinyl. Odo: 29,439 miles. 352-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Born an all-white car but then refinished
in two-tone. Respray done to high
standard with little to fault. Chrome skirts are a
bit much. Original tri-color interior in excellent
radio, Autronic Eye, and power antenna. A
strong presentation. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT
$71,500. Strong money but an equally strong
car. Several price guides have these topping
out at about $50k, but the price paid was not
out of line, considering the condition. Properly
bought.
#69-1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 10867S104509. Roman
Red/red vinyl. Odo: 48,120 miles. 283-ci 315hp
fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. A Fuelie with fourspeed,
hard top, and Posi. Three owners from
new, mileage stated to be accurate, recently restored
to high standard. Fuel-injected engine
condition, as it was covered with seat covers
most of its life. Steering wheel poorly restored.
Equipped with factory a/c. Cond: 2-. NOT
SOLD AT $32,500. The Skyliner was introduced
in 1957 as the first true retracting hard
top convertible. These can push $60k or so in
excellent condition, and the factory a/c is a $5k
plus. As such, the price bid was light by a
bunch—another $15k–$20k was needed to get
the job done.
#98-1959 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
MARK IV convertible. S/N H9YC02810.
Bolero Red/Black Haartz cloth/black & white
leather. Odo: 68,235 miles. 430-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Recent respray in the “right” livery, but
engine bay neglected. Brightwork has a few
minor scratches, door fit somewhat uneven.
Correct trim caps for convertible top. Well fit-
this color combination. One of only 588 produced.
Packard's last stand. Cond: 2+. SOLD
AT $49,500. A “Packardbaker” with ‘catfish'
front end styling that does not appeal to all.
Collectible as the last Packard and valued
higher than the identical Studebaker but well
behind the other performance cars of the era.
Sold for a fair price considering the shortcuts
taken during restoration.
#114-1958 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE
convertible. S/N
W358H2015. Silver/
blue/blue fabric/silver-blue vinyl. Odo: 20,009
miles. 370-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. The Tri-Power
option when ordered with the standard HydraMatic
block was only a $93 upcharge but
boosted horsepower to 300. Top dirty and
said to start easily and run smoothly, following
fresh rebuild.
Documented
with
window
sticker. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $101,200. The
'61 Corvette convertible was made popular by
Buz and Tod of “Route 66” television-series
fame. Loads of eyeball here. The bidding
stalled while the car was on the block, but the
Worldwide folks got busy and put a deal together.
After a little give-and-take, the price
was right for all involved. The hard top was a
big plus.
#96-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible.
S/N
ted black and white leather interior with sixway
power seats. Equipped with the original
Turbo-Drive transmission and power steering
and brakes. An attention-getter. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $31,900. Boy, this slipped through
the cracks as a number with a “5” in front
would have been more like it. As such, the
buyer drove home with a bargain.
#31-1961 BUICK ELECTRA 225 con-
vertible. S/N 8H4015331. Black/black
vinyl/red leather. Odo: 62,892 miles. 401-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Restored about five years back
to an exceptional standard, and has been properly
maintained, showing little evidence of use.
Stunning red leather interior. Powered by
“Wildcat 445” with Twin-Turbine Dynaflow
transmission.
Equipped
poorly fitted. Trim and window frames badly
pitted. Fitted with factory a/c and Continental
kit. A very desirable car that has a neglected
look. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $60,500. At the
price paid the new owner has room to take care
of the major needs and still be on the right side
of the ledger. A desirable Bonneville that has
the right options.
#113-1959 FORD FAIRLANE 500
Skyliner retractable hard top. S/N Wonder Bar radio, bucket seats, foot control for
126
with
factory
a/c,
20867S106979.
Sateen
Silver/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 94,748
miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Frame-on
restoration a few years back. Paint OK, but
lacking deep luster. Bumper badly pitted, with
rust forming under plating. Attractive interior.
Desirable options included 24-gallon fuel tank,
heavy-duty brakes and steering, and power
convertible top. Last year for the solid-axle rear
suspension and exposed headlights
(until
2005). Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $57,200. The
power top adds about $3,000 to the total package.
Price paid was about right for a middleof-the-road
Corvette that will make an excellent
driver, so get the rubber on the road.
#79-1963 FORD THUNDERBIRD “M
code” 2-dr hard top. S/N 3Y83M107562.
Raven Black/black fabric. Odo: 89,354 miles.
390-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. Properly maintained
in original condition with just a respray and
Sports Car Market

Page 126

The Worldwide Group Seabrook, TX
new chrome. Interior shows some signs of use
and age. Engine bay clean but not highly detailed.
One of just 26 “M-code” coupes listed in
the Thunderbird Registry; one of just a few
push six figures, and the unusual color was a
big plus here, but a/c was an add-on, and the
switch to Tri-Power caused some confusion, so
the bidding was a bit restrained. As such, in my
opinion, this was all the money.
#107-1968 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard
with factory a/c. Loaded with all the power
goodies. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $24,200. An attractive
Bullet Bird. For some reason these still
fail to gain traction in the financial arena.
Stylish and rare, but no money. Bought for a
song and if new owner is patient, he may just
have something when the market one day
wakes up.
#80-1965 SHELBY COBRA MK III rep-
lica. S/N RPMSP01840. Silver/black leather.
Odo: 208 miles. Replica built by Superformance
with attention to detail. Period-correct headlights,
taillamps and switches. Halibrand-style
wheels. Powered by Roush developed 427R203
engine with 5-speed Tremec transmission.
top. S/N 242378P150572. Red/cream vinyl.
Odo: 55,231 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Striking paint but lots of window goop to stop
leaks. Hole in headliner, very poor carpet fit.
Has that ridden-hard-and-put-away-wet look.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $27,500. The brainchild of
John DeLorean, who circumvented GM's ban
standards. Date-coded and numbers-matching.
AM/FM stereo. Equipped with “R code” 428
CJ police interceptor motor, power steering,
power front disc brakes, and AM/FM radio.
One of only 245 1969 GT500 convertibles
produced, and one of only 13 in Candy Apple
Red. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $181,500. Restored
to perfection and finished in a most unusual
livery, this stunning Shelby sold for strong-butcorrect
money. Auction estimates were a bit
aggressive, and I think this number is more in
line with the current market.
BEST
BUY
#45-1970
Red/white
CHEVROLET
CHEVELLE SS 454 LS6 convertible.
S/N 136670L192509. Cranberry
vinyl/ivory
vinyl. Odo: 85,517
on anything over 330 cubic inches in an intermediate
car by offering the 389-ci V8 as an
“option.” A middle-of-the-road price for a
middle-of-the-road car. In #1 condition these
can hit twice what was paid here, but doubt if
you can get there from here, so might as well
use and enjoy. Fair for both sides here.
#57-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS
396 convertible. S/N 124679L530378.
Burgundy/black/white vinyl. Odo: 8,880 miles.
396-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Documented with factory
build sheet and original sales contract. The
L78 Turbo Jet V8 was a $316 option and was
ordered on just 4,889 '69 Camaros. M21 close-
Limited miles stated to be accurate. A well
presented replica Cobra. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT
$55,000. Modern convenience, solid performace
and a period look at a fraction of the cost
of the real thing. But then again, it is still a
replica and the new owner will be forever responding
to “Is it real?”
#87-1965 PONTIAC GTO convertible.
S/N 237675B104096. Iris Mist/white
vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 2,887 miles. 389-ci V8,
3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Recent body-off restoration to
high standard. Finished in striking Iris Mist, a
one-year-only color. Converted from single
four-barrel
to Tri-Power carburetion,
a/c
ratio manual 4-speed. Equipped with SS option
as well as Positraction, center console and stereo
tape deck. Restored to original condition. A
superb example. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT
$220,000. An exceptional car that attracted
some serious bidding. But as rare and properly
documented as it was, the money was light by
at least 25k.
#22-1969 SHELBY GT500 convertible.
S/N 9F03R483282. Candy Apple Red/white
vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 87,207 miles. 428-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Recent restoration to MCA
also added. Power steering, power brakes, and
tach. On correct Hurst wheels. Documented by
Pontiac Historical Society with reproduction
window sticker. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $79,200.
A no-questions Tri-Power car with a/c can
128
about 96 convertibles equipped with W-30 and
4-speed. The W-30 option kicked the horsepower
to 370 and added a fiberglass hood.
Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $190,000. The 442
stood for 4-barrel, 4-speed, and dual exhaust.
The SCM Price Guide puts this as high as
$300,000, but others are not as generous. Even
so, price bid here was light for a properly documented
and highly optioned example.
Sports Car Market
Z15 SS option added five-spoke wheels, domed
hood, badges, and other goodies. A legitimate
and limited production example. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $236,500. The LS6 market is coming
to life, and a properly-documented convertible
like the one offered here is money in the
bank. No records exist on the precise number of
convertibles produced, but about 30 are known
to exist. A solid investment that in time will
prove well bought.
vertible. S/N 34870M383543. Burnished
Gold/white
#60-1970 OLDSMOBILE 442 W-30 convinyl/gold
vinyl. Odo: 53,305
miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Highly documented,
low miles, and in superb condition.
Loaded with options including Posi rear end,
8-track, Rally Rocket Pack, and more. One of
miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Original build
sheet documents LS6 option. Restored in the
early 1990s and properly maintained since. In
2006 was clocked at 101.03 in the quarter mile.
Loaded with options, including M40 3-speed
automatic, front disc brakes, and 4.10 gears.

Bonhams Monte Carlo, MCO
Les Grandes Marques à Monaco
Top price at this year's Bonhams sale, held at the late Prince Rainier's car
museum in Fontvieille, went to a 1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing
Company
Bonhams
Date
May 20, 2011
Location
Monte Carlo, MCO
Auctioneer
James Knight
Automotive lots sold / offered
29/63
Sales rate
46%
Sales total
$4,750,205
High sale
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Gullwing, sold at $803,833
Buyer's premium
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing coupe—$803,833
Report and photos by Paul Hardiman
Market opinions in italics
A
lthough the
saleroom didn't
look
exactly packed, there was clearly
money changing hands at
Bonhams' annual “Les Grandes
Marques à Monaco” sale—although some
of the big lots stalled, reflected in a sale rate
of under 50%. Rival RM's big first sale at the
Villa d'Este concours in neighboring Italy the
following day could only have made Bonhams'
task more difficult, as high-dollar bidders were
likely drawn away from Bonhams' sale to attend
the new and very exclusive event. But this was
nothing new for Bonhams, as the company dealt with a
similar situation last year, when RM's $44m “Sporting
Classics of Monaco” sale took place just across town.
Top price at this year's Bonhams sale, held at the
late Prince Rainier's car collection and museum in
Fontvieille, went to a 1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing at
$803,833, while a later roadster was $533,154, and a fine
Classiche-approved Ferrari 275 GTS sold for $623,381.
The big Ferrari of the sale, a 512 BB/LM that had raced
at Le Mans in 1981 and 1982, stalled at $1.5m, or about
$285k short of what was needed to buy it. But the only
fiberglass 308 GTB Group B rally car by Michelotto
sold on the phone for a healthy $656,190, and the interim
F2/F1 Cooper T45 that Maurice Trintignant took to a GP
win here in 1958 fetched $262,476.
The 1965 Paris Motor Show Aston Martin DB6 was
132
in super order and fetched a strong $246,071; Swiss registered, it sold outside
the EU, thereby avoiding attracting 20% VAT on the entire hammer price
and not just buyer's premium, which was a straight 15% at this sale.
The much-awaited Panther Six, the second of two built, looked to be
in good shape and attracted $59,057, which was just enough to buy it and
Monte Carlo, MCO
was strangely very close to its original list price at the London Motorfair
in 1977. Other notable sales included a 1996 Ferrari F512 M Berlinetta that
made $150,924, a 1961 Jaguar XKE Series I 3.8-liter flat floor convertible
that found new ownership at $128,385, and a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 220SE
Ponton cabriolet that sold for $60,698.
A Jaguar XK 150S with a splendid patina but which had been mechanically
refurbished reflected the new “resto-rat” trend. bringing the right $118,114, and a
Lamborghini Diablo VT, originally residing in Monaco before it went to England with
its owner, looked like a good value at $113,193.
Statistically,
this year's sale
did
show
growth over last year's event, with 29 of 63 lots
making a combined total of $4.7m compared
to 40 of 66 lots selling for $3.6m in 2010. And
although the sell-through rate fell rather significantly
to 46% from 61%, the total increase of
over $1m showed there to be a generally higher
caliber of cars on hand this time around.
The close of the auction saw Bonhams'
staff, and this reporter, hurrying off to
Newport Pagnell, where the following day, its
annual Aston Martin sale at Works Service was
to take place. Look for a full report on that sale
in the next issue of SCM. ♦
$3m
$6m
$9m
$12m
$15m
0
Sports Car Market
Sales Totals
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
15%, included in sold prices
($1.00=€0.70)

Page 132

Bonhams Monte Carlo, MCO
ENGLISH
#148-1933 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP
Phantom II Continental 4-dr sedan. S/N
140MY. Metallic blue/blue leather. RHD. Odo:
62,457 miles. Originally owned by Captain Sir
Malcolm Campbell, the recordbreaker, and like
all his cars painted light blue, although this
one's metallic. Not as bright as it looked in
catalog, but a recent restoration. Very sharp and
straight. Chrome trim and Lucas lights excel-
served, red leather well creased. Front bumper
has three R-R and Bentley club badges
mounted. Utterly commanding and appealing
in every respect. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT
$325,000. If the car had sold into Europe, 20%
VAT would be due on whole price, which might
and lacquered to stop it from deteriorating.
Interior hung out to dry. Looks like a complete
resto project... until you look underneath and
gaze upon the mechanically refurbed chassis.
Body condition 4, mechanicals condition 2+.
Originally supplied to New York. If this is the
new trend, it's wonderful. Cond: 3. SOLD AT
$118,114. They're only original once. Not everyone
would get this, but someone (on the
phone) did, paying about $25k under shiny
money for something probably far more usable.
Let's hope the new owner doesn't paint it.
#120-1961 JAGUAR XKE Series 1 “flat-
lent. New leather, nicely dull timber. Painted
wires behind Ace discs. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD
AT $164,000. First tiled “AGO 1.” Although
the money offered may not have covered the
resto,
this
was 40/50hp
Phantoms, especially
Ghost money.
very individualistic
Phantoms, aren't there yet, and the top bid
(about $70k below reserve) reflected where it
would need to be to leave a margin for retail.
#117-1954 ARNOLT-BRISTOL DE
LUXE roadster. S/N 404X3100. Red/gray
leather. Odo: 5,488 miles. Good all around, following
older rebuild and fettling since. Edges
of trunk lid have light cracks, seats look like
much later aftermarket items. Motor right type
but not original, slightly earlier than rest of car.
Said to drive well with no issues and fired up in
the room OK. Other De Luxe fittings such as
have kept the bids low. Top offer was about
$50k short, which adds up to about the same.
Last offered but not sold at Christie's London
auction in December 2002, with a high bid of
$66,780 against a reserve of $78,500 (SCM#
29636). The reporter at that time wrote, “1993
repaint still excellent. Chrome very good.
Crumpled license plate. Original leather nicely
worn.”
#125-1958 COOPER TYPE 45 racer. S/N
F2958. Green/gray. MHD. The ex-Maurice
Trintignant/Rob Walker Racing Team F2/F1
“interim” car that was the surprise winner of
the 1958 Monaco GP. Or “strong evidence” to
suggest that it was, says the catalog. Later an
F2 car again with 1500-cc Borgward power,
has been Scuderia Serenissama-bodied, now
floor” roadster. S/N 875232 Eng. # R13579.
Dark gray/black leather. Odo: 741 miles.
External-lock car, so it's very early. Sharply
restored 20 years ago in U.S. to original spec,
although paint (originally gunmetal) isn't perfect.
Has 5-speed conversion from Jack Bryan,
who once owned it. Interior all present and
correct, fitted Becker Mexico has SatNav conversion.
Greek-registered. Cond: 2+. SOLD
AT $128,385. With top E-type roadsters once
again hitting $200k-plus for their 50th anniversary
year, this didn't look expensive for a tidy
example. Left-hand drive is where it's at these
days, and an “invisible” 5-speed shouldn't hurt
value.
#158-1961 JAGUAR MK II 3.8 4-dr
sedan. S/N P211845BW. Silver/red leather.
Good appearance, at first glance a sharp resto,
less perfect up close. Front bumper flaking and
dinged. Floors good, rockers a bit tired where
you can't see them. Nice leather just settling in.
back in its original form and in super order,
with 2-liter Climax FPF. The period catalog
shot from the ‘58 Monaco was taken by Phil
Hill. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $262,476. Add 20%
to the price for VAT. The car sold just over bottom
estimate, which got the job done. A good
story for a very drivable car. Ready to race
again.
taller windscreen included with car. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $123,036. Offered but not sold for
$37,500 in November 2001 at Mecum's St.
Charles auction (SCM# 24180), where it was
described as a 1959 Bolide and our reporter
said, “Paint is good and chrome is nice. Said to
have the street windshield available. Owner
was looking for $45k. Fair bid.” It was later
bought by today's seller in Sarasota, Florida.
The price looked about $35k light here, so well
bought.
#133-1956 BENTLEY S1 Continental
2-dr sedan. S/N BC93AF. Black/red leather.
RHD. Odo: 7,539 Really straight body and
mirror-deep paint. Timber very nicely pre-
134
#135-1959 JAGUAR XK 150S 3.4 road-
ster. S/N T831351DN Eng. # VS13679.
Blue/gray leather. Odo: 42,977 miles. Best
(and rare) spec, with overdrive. Scratched,
rough paint over a fairly straight body, polished
Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $29,529. Sold at no reserve.
Eye appeal garnered it some attention,
and for a cosmetically good but not altogether
fabulous Mk II, the money was about right.
Fairly bought and fairly sold.
#132-1966 ASTON MARTIN DB6
Vantage-spec coupe. S/N DB62370LK Eng. #
4002384. Dark blue/beige leather. Odo: 89,530
km. Ex 1965 Paris Motor Show car in super
order. Excellent paint and chrome, panels very
straight. Lightly creased leather. Electric windows
stated not to be working. Not originally
Sports Car Market

Page 134

Bonhams Monte Carlo, MCO
convoluted. I expected this to go very high or
not sell, but it just fizzled out at novelty-act
money despite Knight's best efforts. (“It'll look
good on that harbour.”) Price paid was all that
should have been realistically expected.
#114-1987 AUSTIN MINI MOKE beach
car. S/N TW7XKP328S681056. Green/black.
Odo: 1,120 miles. Portuguese-assembled Moke
in excellent order following rebuild by German
specialist
Minispeed.
a Vantage, but motor now in that spec, following
1990 restoration. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$246,071. Sold in the room for strong money,
bound for outside Europe. Due to Swiss registration,
there would have been a 20% premium
on the hammer price if it had gone to the E.U.,
instead of just the 15% premium.
#109-1966 VANDEN PLAS PRINCESS
4-Liter “R” 4-dr sedan. S/N VRS32924.
Green/buff leather. Not bad at all from twenty
feet or so, a bit rougher up close, still looks
pretty solid. Might be a nice old smoker but
really a resto project. Lovely when they're
Equipped
with
full
weather gear. Now sitting on 13-inch Minilites,
a regular at events since. Not a huge amount
was being asked here, and this tidy roadster
comfortably reached the bottom estimate.
#152-1985 PORSCHE 911 turbo coupe.
S/N WPOZZZ93ZGS000118. Guards
Red/black leather. Body clean and tidy, good
heat exchangers and oil pipes. Black leather
buckets unworn. Includes tool kit, along with
extra set of four OZ wheels wearing Pirelli rub-
though spare's a 12-inch steelie. 1,275-cc
motor with 286 cam. Cond: 2. SOLD AT
$31,169. Last sold at Bonhams & Brooks'
Nurburgring auction in 2001 for $22,130. It
did well here, and although even bigger money
was anticipated, it made more than a decent
real early Cooper.
GERMAN
#138-1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL
lovely, but these quickly get ratty-tatty when
they're not. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $6,562. Sold
at no reserve. Nobody seemed to want it, and
the auctioneer had to take it all the way down
to $5k to get a first bid. Ultimately sold at
around half what the seller had rather hopefully
anticipated.
#153-1977 PANTHER SIX convertible.
S/N XP3100. White/black leather. Odo: 75
miles. One of two built by Panther Westwinds
visionary Robert Jankel. Basically in good
order, with some small marks at edges of fiberglass.
Interior reminiscent of a '70s Cadillac,
but that's where the motor came from, and
likely the car's intended market. Twin-turboed
8.3 Caddy driveline in back. Gassy smell in
close proximity to blowers and fuel pipes.
Gullwing coupe. S/N 1980405500152.
Silver/red leather. Near-perfect body, paint, and
chrome. Interior like new, following restoration
only 850 km ago by D-B Works in Kassel.
Motor tidy and workmanlike, with all correct
finishes, though a little ways off from concours
ber. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $55,776. Swiss owned
and registered since 2004. This Turbo was sold
at no reserve but nonetheless reached very respectable
money, with four bidders on it at the
$36k mark, driving up the price. Well sold,
price would be tough to duplicate in the USA.
ITALIAN
#144-1956 FERRARI 250 GT coupe. S/N
0543 Eng. # 0543. Black/tan leather. Odo:
86,202 miles. Really sharp, shiny, and straight,
following restoration in not-too-distant past.
Was originally silver-gray. Leather in original
color just taking on some character. Excellent
dash and instruments, engine has correct fin-
condition. Equipped with Rudge wheels from
new. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $803,833. In U.K.
1955–1980, then acquired at Bonhams &
Brooks' Nurburgring sale in 2001, post-restoration.
It was the star of the show and correctly
sold (on the phone, to a Brit) at current market
price for a top Gullwing.
Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $59,057. Assembly was
actually completed after Panther went bust,
and the car's ownership history was no less
136
#119-1958 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL
convertible. S/N 1980428500280. White/red
leather. Twenty-year-old resto still in good
shape. Paint and chrome shiny, panel fits all
good. Leather slightly creased. Motor clean but
not concours. Not too perfect to use. Frenchregistered.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $533,194. This
SL was purchased from the massive Techno
Classica show in Essen in 2008, and has been
ishes. Sits nicely on Borranis. Cond: 1-. NOT
SOLD AT $614,000. French-supplied
car,
though soon exported to the U.S., where it enjoyed
a brief competition career. Top bid wasn't
far off, as $650k should probably have secured
it, at which it would have been a fair buy. But
the seller was holding out for the full whack.
#127-1963 FIAT 500D Giardiniera 2-dr
wagon. S/N 103820. White/red leather. Very
tidy little novelty—a 500D done up like an
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Page 136

Bonhams Monte Carlo, MCO
Abarth hauler, complete with the Cromodoras,
flares, overbored motor, and “695” side stripes.
In excellent order but a bit tatty inside.
Gorgeous with lightly orangepeeled paint, and
holed right rear spoiler lip, though neither matters.
Looks complete and probably a runner,
but exact spec of motor unknown and probably
some way off race-worthy. Cond: 3. NOT
SOLD AT $380,000. Has been in the Rosso
Bianco collection, and bid about $60k light
here.
BEST
BUY
#159-1970 MASERATI INDY
coupe. S/N AM116556. Metallic
green/black leather. Very sharp recent
restoration. Great paint, spot-on panel gaps,
everything shuts nicely. Has a few polish marks
in chrome. New black leather interior, all new
fasteners underneath.
Supplied new to
Complete with perspex engine cover. Italianregistered.
Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $17,150.
Apparently owned from new by a Fiat-Abarth
specialist who had it modded for promo purposes.
Limited market for a weird-but-appealing
little package, even though the bids were
approaching fake Abarth money. I would have
thought this was perfect for Monaco.
#140-1964 FIAT ABARTH 850TC
Stradale 2-dr sedan. S/N 1427366. White/red
velour. Started life as a Stradale, racier bits
added later. Good, straight, and tidy. Interior
out and sold with spares (including engine, sitting
where passenger seat was). Swiss-owned,
though was previously in the U.K. Cond: 3+.
Switzerland, being sold from Germany. Cond:
1-. SOLD AT $33,768. Sold incredibly cheap,
at 25% under bottom estimate, for far, far less
AT $1,500,000. Not sold, though bidding
started at a promising €800k ($1,143,000). In
1985, the car was not sold at Coys London for
$1,112,576 (SCM# 16664), but later sold to
Sweden in 1989 at the Nurburgring for
£677,420, repossesed and resold in 1990, then
in America where, inevitably, it went through
the hands of SCM's own Mike Sheehan. About
$250k light here.
#116-1996 FERRARI F512 M coupe. S/N
ZFFVA40B000101768. Red/black
leather.
Odo: 3,842 km. Euro-spec car imported to U.S.
in 2001 and Federalized in 2002. Speedo in
mph. Clean, tidy, and unscuffed, commensurate
with very low mileage, though had minor
repairs to hood and new front bumper in 2008.
With factory tool kit and leather wallet with
handbook, warranty, book, etc. Offered without
than it cost to do. These cars aren't fashionable,
especially with the smallest engine, but
for a near-perfect
classic
Italian supercar,
someone thought it worth a punt. Top bid of
$29k didn't look like enough, but “Come and
talk to us later,” and it soon appeared on the
“sold” list. Well done, and well bought.
#137-1976 FERRARI 308 GTB Group B
SOLD AT $22,967. This had raced at the
Goodwood Revival in 1998 and was bought by
the seller at a Bonhams sale in February 2006.
It sold at no reserve and only slightly low today,
for around half what had been hoped. But it
looked cheap compared to the 600D-based
replica currently on sale in the U.K., so well
bought.
#142-1967 ALFA ROMEO TIPO 33
‘Mugello Spider' roadster. S/N 75033005.
Red/black vinyl. Long-tailed ‘Mugello spider'
of the type developed to run the 1967 Italian
road race, though this one was built up from
parts
after
Autodelta
closed
in
the
‘80s.
Spanish championship-winner in 1984, and
has run on the Tour Auto, and it looked ready to
go again. Sold on the phone at a hammer price
25% short of lower estimate, but as Bonhams'
Philip Kantor put it, “a hard car to sell.” See
the profile on p. 76.
#126-1981 FERRARI 512 BB LM coupe.
S/N 35527. Red/black. Star of the show, the
ex-NART 512 BB LM that ran at Le Mans in
1981 and '82. Very sharp for a race car, original
motor standing on plinth behind it, as it currently
wears a 560-hp gorilla engine, having
been raced in the American Shell Ferrari
Maserati Challenge. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD
138
Sports Car Market
racer. S/N 18869. White/red velour. First fiberglass
GTB 308 built by Michelotto (of four, in
1983). Body fit variable and showing some
cracks at corners, but not unduly knocked
about for a rally car. Seats look quite new.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $656,190. This was a
reserve. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $150,924. VAT
payable on full price, adding 20%, and it had
even been on sale at $56k. But bidding kept
going and going in €1,000 increments between
two men who wanted it, even though auctioneer
Jamie Knight “had a plane to catch.” Very well
(and patiently) sold to a German bidder in the
room.
#111-1997 LAMBORGHINI DIABLO
VT convertible. S/N 12864. Silver/red & black
leather. Odo: 4,325 miles. Almost like a new
one, though actual miles are closer to 26,000,
as a km speedo was fitted for much of its life.
Excellent paint, wheels totally unscuffed, seats
show no wear. New clutch 3,491 miles ago.
Owner reportedly selling the car in favor of

Bonhams & Butterfields Port Townsend, WA
The Don and Lynette Short Collection
The Short Collection grossed $1.4m, which mirrors the quality and quantity
of collector cars extant in the rust-free Pacific Northwest
Company
Bonhams & Butterfields
Date
May 21, 2011
Location
Port Townsend, WA
Auctioneer
Malcolm Barber
Automotive lots sold / offered
24/29
Sales rate
83%
Sales total
$1,455,736
High sale
1920 Stutz Bearcat, sold at
$260,000
Buyer's premium
1923 Stutz Special Six roadster—$106,470
Report and photos by Jack Tockston with
select photos by Tony Piff
Market opinions in italics
D
on Short spent the majority
of his life collecting
Stutz automobiles
and parts. He and his
wife Lynette were well known in
the Washington area, taking their
cars on countless touring events, and
they liked to hunt for rare cars and parts
together,
Port Townsend, WA
Studebaker, and Oldsmobile. Condition of the collection ranged from parts
cars to museum-quality examples. Nearly all of them sold, with some
bringing record-breaking prices.
Malcolm Barber, Bonhams' CEO in America, performed auctioneer du-
ties and kept proceedings moving quickly with trademark humor, dignity,
and clarity. The collection, which had been in storage for a number of years,
was washed for auction, but no real detailing had been done. However, it
would take an entire summer to polish all that brass and brightwork, and I
suspect the work would have been to little or no advantage.
traveling to auctions around the country in
search of rare pieces to add to the collection. Don passed
away in 2002, but his collection of American classics
stayed mostly intact until late May, when Bonhams &
Butterfields was charged with its liquidation.
It was a drizzly drive up the Olympic Peninsula to
rural Jefferson County International Airport, where
Bonhams was to conduct the sale. But it was easy to see
why the Port Townsend Aero Museum had been selected
as the backdrop for the event. Aircraft displays were
removed to provide generous, clean surfaces for vehicle
display, while restored vintage aircraft hung above, giving
a period-correct ambiance.
Vehicles were spaced at the perimeter and included
an unheard of eight Stutz models, as well as (literally)
tons of unobtainium parts related to the marque.
Rounding out the docket were historically significant
examples from Locomobile, Tourist, Mitchell, Lambert,
Chalmers, Pierce-Arrow, Cadillac, Lincoln, Buick,
142
So why would a magazine with “Sports car” in its masthead care about early
American cars? By any definition, many of these American companies produced what
were then called “sporting” cars for the road or track. For example, Stutz machines
competed at Le Mans and Indy (the latter being literally down the street from the
Indiana factory). The 1912 Indy Pace Car was a Stutz driven Carl G. Fisher, the race
promoter also credited as America's first car dealer. This justification also applies to
the other brands at auction this day, since Henry Ford's mantra of “Race on Sunday,
sell on Monday” was embraced throughout the industry's formative years.
Ultimately, most of the nameplates featured this day were casualties of the Great
Depression.
Record-breaking sales of the auction included a 1920 Stutz Bearcat at $260,000, a
1921 Stutz Bulldog at $79,560, a 1929 Stutz Blackhawk Roadster at $161,000, a 1923
Stutz Special Six Roadster at $106,470, and a 1907 Locomobile at $155,500. The sale
grossed $1.4m ($1.2m for cars and $200,000 for automobilia), which mirrors the quality
and quantity of collector cars extant in the rust-free Pacific Northwest.
With this event, their auction of the “Wally” Lewis Collection in Portland, Oregon
on June 11th, and their contract to conduct annual collector car auctions at the LeMay
Museum in Tacoma, Washington, it seems Bonhams' claim on this fertile car collecting
region is firmly staked. ♦
Sports Car Market
17% on the first $100,000,
10% thereafter, included in
sold prices

Page 142

Bonhams & Butterfields Port Townsend, WA
AMERICAN
#619-1907 LOCOMOBILE MODEL E
touring. S/N 1402 Eng. # 1664. Maroon &
black/black/black leather. RHD. Ex-William
Harrah. Excellent paint, brass, top, tires, wood
wheels, bulb horn. Gold pin-stripes outline
most panels, suitcase strapped out back. Good
tufted leather seats show minor wear, drumtype
speedo stuck at 40 mph. Rear dual chain
drive, cable brakes. Clean chassis and engine.
A quality motorcar with design influences from
Daimler and Panhard. Very nice. Cond: 2.
and just as aerodynamic. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$54,990. The Stutz had transaxles, this Tourist
is mid-engined—makes one wonder what's really
new today. This exceptionally rare “motorcar”
screams “Currier and Ives Holiday
Calendar,” though it was manufactured in
snow-less Los Angeles, California. In recent
years, it's been displayed at this auction's
venue among restored vintage aircraft. The
winning bid was just under the low estimate,
making this an exceptionally astute Brass Era
buy.
#626-1911 BUICK MODEL 21 touring.
S/N N/A Eng. # 824. Green. RHD. Bare chassis
freshly restored in black, as-new wood-spoke
wheels in straw yellow, no tires. Wood body
shell nicely restored in bright green (surprising
if original, as claimed). No front fenders, unrestored
rears, radiator rebuilt. No interior bits
other than steering column. Unrestored engine
included on pallet, condition unknown. A major
project offered on bill of sale. Titled by engine
brass. Luxurious then and now. Engine appears
original, seeping oil via exposed rockers. Fitted
with four 28” wooden artillery wheels (36x4”
tires), plus side-mounted spare. Titled by engine
no. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $67,860. Buick
made just 905 Model 39s of this top-of-the-line
tourer as an attempt to move the brand upscale.
(A pre-war version of “Wouldn't you rather
have a Buick?”) This was a presentable restoration
showing its age that could be enjoyed
and maintained as-is until the next re-do. An
excellent value at under the $70k low pre-sale
estimate.
#618-1911 MITCHELL MODEL T tour-
ing. S/N 118410. White & black/black/black
leather. RHD. Another long-dormant project.
White & black paint in poor shape. Brass gas
lighting present, no windshield glass, top in
tatters with leather seats to match. Tool box on
running board, battery box empty. Engine filthy
but appears complete. Could be restored with
considerable
effort
for
possible
return
to
Racine, Wisconsin, the car's birthplace. On
hard black Firestone “No Skid” tires. Cond: 4.
SOLD AT $25,740. Better than a pile of parts,
SOLD AT $155,500. Reportedly one of Bill
Harrah's favorites and kept at his Nevada
ranch. Back in the day, Locomobile set the
American standard for quality and engineering
with the Model E. Relatively light and perky, its
handling was even considered “sporty.” When
introduced in 1905, price was $3,000, an enormous
sum for the most conspicuous of consumers.
One of the best brass cars offered this day,
and surpassed previous record of $125k. Well
bought and sold, in light of condition.
#616-1907 TOURIST MODEL K tour-
ing. S/N 1921. White/tan/brown leather. RHD.
Imposing and tall, could never enter standard
height garage. Good white paint shows some
chips, scuffs, with brushed brown pin stripe
accents. Pale yellow chassis paint peeling,
some road grime. Extensive brass trimmings
and equipment, bulb horn, all in excellent condition.
Body metal corroding away under left
rear door. Good leather seating, excellent wood
trim. Tool box on left running board. Hidden
mid-oriented engine drives single chain to rear
wheels. An impressive tour car, big as a barn
number. Cond: 5+. SOLD AT $9,360. A Brass
Era motorcar with no brass included. As
shown, this amounted to a 1911 kit car with the
box open and parts lost over decades. Finding
replacements will be a time-consuming and
expensive challenge unless one already has
known sources. Price approached the $10k low
estimate, which seemed spendy for what was
there. Well sold.
ger tourer. S/N N/A Eng. # 824. Maroon &
black/black/black
#622-1911 BUICK MODEL 39 5-passenleather.
RHD. Odo: 819
miles. Paint fair, some orange peel over minimally
prepared surfaces, shallow dents in hood,
pin-striped highlights. Various screws missing
from panels and running boards. Very good top
and brass. Serviceable leather seating with
joined chair-like fronts and bench rear, original
woodwork has delightful patina, some edged in
but not by much, as this one needed everything.
Attractive period style, but as often overheard
today (and probably then), “All these cars look
the same.” Nothing technically
interesting
here, just a good restoration challenge of a
rare marque that died in the post-war recession.
Worldwide Auctioneers just sold a 1910
Mitchell at their Seabrook, TX, sale on May 1,
2011, for $220k (SCM# 162589), so it's just a
question of keeping the restoration costs under
$200k.
#621-1915 CHALMERS MODEL 29
5-passenger touring. S/N 45876 Eng. #
29A94. Yellow/black/black leather. RHD. Odo:
2,285 miles. Bright yellow paint of good quality,
left front fender paint age-cracked (others
144
Sports Car Market

Page 144

Bonhams & Butterfields Port Townsend, WA
fine). Wood-spoke wheels painted to match
bright body color, noticeable dearth of chrome.
Top excellent.
Features etched-glass
wind
wings and rear-mounted spare. Servicable diamond-tufted
leather seating, transmission access
through front floor removed, as is top of
transmission turning rear chain drive. Engine
dusty and original with two spark plugs per
cylinder, electric starter, and lighting. Big,
bright, and HCCA-recognized. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $67,860. The racy torpedo body, big
engine, and four-speed gearbox means gearheads
were on the design staff. Mis-cataloged
and corrected on the podium as a Model 29.
This flashy car appeared in serviceable condition
(assuming no drivetrain issues) and found
a new caretaker with a bid Bonhams claimed to
be a new record. Well bought and sold.
#603-1918 STUTZ BEARCAT roadster.
S/N S1462 Eng. # 6018. Yellow. Basically a
body shell sitting loose on frame. Slap-dash
yellow enamel containing
dirt over casual
metal preparation. Headlights and windshield
frame present, but no glass. Amateur wood
framing, three shabby fenders along with a few
minor bits. Engine has manifolds, carburetor,
distributor, starter, grime, and unknown internal
condition. No interior, instruments,
or
steering wheel. A challenging project with
driver-grade motorcar with big displacement
engine and small horsepower brought spirited
bidding to finish under the expected low estimate.
Not for show in this condition, but at this
price, there's little downside. An astute buy well
under market.
#602-1920 STUTZ BEARCAT roadster.
S/N 6425 Eng. # 6478. Red & black/black/brown
leather. RHD. Odo: 11,390 miles. Ex-William
Harrah when near mint. Now has wavy panels,
paint chips, minor peeling. Chassis shows road
use, yellowed whitewalls,
large black-and-
chrome headlights with multi-bubbled glass
lenses which must cast an interesting pattern,
rear-mounted spare over vulnerable-looking
gas tank. RHD with shifter outside beneath
single spotlight, Newton “Ah-oogh” horn
ahead. Seats heavily creased, worn wood steer-
ing on chassis. A sporty tourer. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $21,060. This nicely restored car,
with lines reminiscent of Stutz, would be ready
for touring after minor service. Presented as an
EL model, research indicates it is probably an
EJ, since the former wasn't available until
1924. Regardless, this was an impressive car to
behold, and the buyer got a good value with a
closing bid under low estimate. Well bought.
#604-1921 STUTZ BULLDOG tourer.
S/N K10348 Eng. # 10304. Maroon &
black/black/black leather. RHD. Odo: 32,963
miles. Tired paint, many chips, peeling left
front door and seams. Vinyl top looks original,
tape-patched left front leather bolster, tired and
bare “bear skin carpet” on rear floor, no side
curtains present. Right-hand drive, same engine
and running gear as Bearcat with room for
family. Equipped with trunk rack, dual rearmounted
spares, Boyce Motometer with Stutz
much to be done. Cond: 4-. SOLD AT $23,400.
Nice in profile at 30 feet with bright yellow
paint, presumably applied for catalog purposes.
What little has been done will need to be
reversed, along with a search of the universe
for rare and expensive missing items. It will be
interesting to hear the future of this example:
100% restoration, unfinished money pit, or
garden planter. Offered on bill of sale, this pile
of parts barely brought the low pre-sale estimate,
but it sold.
#614-1919 PIERCE-ARROW SERIES
31 tourer. S/N 311365 Eng. # 311365. Green &
black/black/black leather. RHD. Odo: 1,398
miles. An older restoration, now a driver.
Numerous paint chips, Bondo ripples on both
sides, nickel plating fading. Marque-distinctive
headlights flaired into fenders, unusual bustle
design on rear. Interior has serviceable front
bucket seats, bench in rear, dual straps fastened
to headliner to hold cowboy hats. Engine appears
original, dirty, chassis paint peeling. On
Goodyear “Silvertown Cord” wide whites.
Dual spares on rear—one white rubber, other
crudely brushed white. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT
$141,200. Ideal for a lotto-winning rural mail
carrier, being right-hand drive and periodcorrect
postal green. Regardless,
this large
146
ing wheel, scuffed flooring. Engine dusty, appears
complete. A museum-quality example
that was subsequently driven and enjoyed.
Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $260,000. Acquired at the
1976 Harrah auction for $18,500. Don Short
enjoyed this car as a nice “driver,” once being
clocked at 105 mph by un-amused police!
Surviving Bearcats number around 20, and this
one could be driven without cardiac concerns
over added road rash. Smartly purchased by a
bidder in the room who also attended the 1976
Harrah sale only to lose out to Don Short. A
dream achieved at a record price. (Previous
high for this model was $65,625.) Well sold.
#620-1921 STUDEBAKER MODEL EL
Series 22 touring. S/N 9031241819 Eng. #
BG72650. Maroon & black/black/black leather.
Odo: 26,612 miles. A quality restoration with
excellent paint, chrome, panel fit, and glass.
Dual sidemounts fitted, six steel disk-type
wheels in contrasting yellow, four step plates
on nice running boards. Leather shows minor
wear, excellent wood steering wheel, attractive
wood dash and instruments with drum-type
speedo, clock. Engine compartment dusty, appears
complete and original. Minor paint peel-
emblem, dirty running boards, four step plates,
dusty engine compartment, rear brakes only. A
well-used example with Survivor vibe, would
be a decent basis for full restoration, or touring
post-recommissioning. Cond: 3. SOLD AT
$79,560. Said to be Don Short's first Stutz and
the one that sparked his interest in car collecting.
With four doors and increased accommodations,
it's not as sporty as a Bearcat, but the
entry fee is much smaller. Despite condition, its
potential nonetheless resulted in a record price
almost twice the previous record ($44,650 for
this model). Well sold.
#613-1922 LINCOLN MODEL L pha-
eton. S/N 6447 Eng. # 6447. Blue/black/black
leather. Odo: 88,163 miles. An older restoration
that will soon need a re-do. Blue paint on
hood and cowl darker than remainder, minor
paint chips reflect use and garage storage, some
waves in side panels and cowl lights. Thin plating
on radiator, rust starting at seams. Left front
door won't close completely. Excellent top and
leather
interior. Chassis dusty with
Sports Car Market

eBay Motors Online Sales
Monstrous Mongrels
Call it right. Call it wrong. Just don't call it late for dinner. It'll be very angry
and may drive over your Prius
Report by Geoff Archer
Market opinions in italics
T
his month we survey a
selection of 4x4 one-offs
that offer mud-bogging
functionality without
sacrificing classic sports car
style. Just remember: a double-height
lift kit and 46-inch
wheels doesn't mean that other
drivers won't still be looking
down at you.
Condition inferred from seller's descriptions;
cars were not physically examined
by the author. All quoted material taken
from the eBay listings. (sf=seller's feedback;
bf=buyer's feedback)
#160483588765-1958
vinyl.
HUSKY Custom 4x4 wagon. S/N N/A.
Orange & cream/black
HILLMAN
13
Photos.
Guilderland, NY. “Assembled on a Jeep CJ5
chassis. Show quality paint. All door and window
rubber is new, interior is completely new,
perfect and very comfortable with black pleats,
orange piping, seatbelts, and remote AM/FM/
CD Stereo. Glass is new and perfect.” Buick
V6 is “very fast, with tons of torque. I have
never hit the NOS button, it was most likely
overkill, but the bottle is full. This is a well
1974+ bumpers. “Built in the '70s when these
cars were not rare. I did not build this car but it
is well built with a complete custom frame
welded through the MGB. Engine and all running
gear is CJ5. Overall condition is fair due
to sitting for years. The radiator is in the trunk
and there is an air scoop under the car that feeds
it. Just imagine showing up to the trail in this.”
is original 78 CJ5 (3 speed). Title is “Modified.”
The car is inspected and street legal. 0 bids. sf
9. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $15,000. How
about we jack up a Corvette Sting Ray and
paint it like a German WWII Kubelwagen?
Wait, that would make no sense and appeal to
no one. My point is that this patriotic paint
scheme is idiotic on an import car. For every
luddite who thinks this is a ‘Vette, there will be
just as many confused cognoscenti. Undo the
paint scheme fail, and this tidy Opeep might
sell for half of the $15k Buy-It-Now. Otherwise
you can just keep trying to explain it.
#120418039471-1991 VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF Syncro “Country” sedan. S/N
WVWZZZ1GZMW566065. Metallic teal/gray
cloth. Odo: 116,200 miles. 21 Photos.
Vancouver, BC. One of “less than 4,000 built”
with AWD, bull bars, ample ground clearance,
and external tire carrier. “Exported to Japan
new in 1991 and I imported the car from Japan
in October 2008. It's registered in
British
built, crowd pleasing, award winning vehicle.”
3 bids. sf 1665. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT
$5,277. Although bizarre and likely a world
first, this combination ends up looking like an
older Lada Niva. If that reference is lost on
you, then you are probably not in the target
market, but you would still have to give a nod
to the craftsmanship evidenced here. In light of
that, these bids were well refused. $15k Buy-ItNow
will probably be hard to attain outside of
a U.K.-based Jeep Jamboree, but five figures
are definitely in order.
#300489540822-1975 MG B Custom 4x4
convertible. S/N MGB084324. Black/black
vinyl/black vinyl. 15 Photos. Melrose Place,
PA. Titled as a “1965 MGB” despite rubber
150
No mention of engine specs, other than listing
it as a V8. 17 bids. sf 97. Cond: 4. SOLD AT
$1,525. Forget the trail. Imagine Publisher
Martin showing up to the MG meet in Reno in
this! Cooler than all three of the SCM MGBs
put together (vertically, of course) this might
have been a good deal on a great use of a rubber
bumper B body (if the Jeep drivetrain
proves solid). C'mon British car purists, think
positively. We can just imagine that the engine
and trans went on to pluck up a Metropolitan,
the suspension into a Super 7 kit, and the
Rostyle wheels underpin a Cortina 1600E...
#300323223948-1969 OPEL GT Custom
4x4 coupe. S/N N/A. Red, white, & blue/red &
black vinyl. 13 Photos. Weatherly, PA. Built on
“a 1985 CJ7 Jeep frame and a 1978 CJ5 Jeep
drivetrain.” Many new parts, including “red
underglo kit” and an “11 inch high rear spoiler.”
Paint condition not described, but if the spoiler
Columbia and currently insured and driven
daily. The paint is original and shines, there's
no rust on the body whatsoever. Seats are in
is new then it is probably decent. “The engine
is a new crate engine, a 258 cubic inch straight
6 cylinder with 200 miles clocked since building
the vehicle. Transmission and transfer case
very good shape except for some wear on
driver's seat. No burning oil, noisy lifters,
whining transmission, slipping clutch, squeaky
brakes or body rattles.” 1 Best-Offer bid. sf 42.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $6,750. I fondly recall seeing
these all over Germany while I was backpacking
there in the '90s. This now cheap
Sports Car Market

Auction Companies
Artcurial-Briest-Poulain-Le
Fur. 33.1.42992056, 33.1.42991639. 7,
Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées, 75008
Paris, France. artcurial@auction.fr
www.artcurial.com. (FR)
d'Elegance in August, the recordsetting
Scottsdale Auction in January
and a world-class auction at the Omni
Amelia Island Plantation in Florida in
March. www.goodingco.com. (CA)
H&H Classic Auctions. +44 8458
334455, +44 8458 334433. The Motor
House Lyncastle Road Warrington
England. WA4 4BSN www.handh.
co.uk. (UK)
Barrett-Jackson Auction.
480.421.6694, 480.421.6697. For nearly
four decades, the Barrett-Jackson Auction
Company has been recognized
throughout the world for offering only
the finest selection of quality collector
vehicles, outstanding professional
service, and an unrivaled sales success.
From classic and one-of-a-kind cars
to exotics and muscle cars, BarrettJackson
attracts only the best. Our
auctions have captured the true essence
of a passionate obsession with cars that
extends to collectors and enthusiasts
throughout the world. A television
audience of millions watch unique and
select vehicles while attendees enjoy a
lifestyle experience featuring fine art,
fashion and gourmet cuisine. In every
way, the legend is unsurpassed. N.
Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.
info@barrett-jackson.com. www.
barrett-jackson.com. (AZ)
Bonhams. +44.207.228.8000,
+44.207.585.0830. Montpelier St.,
Knightsbridge, London, SW7 1HH.
www.bonhams.com. (UK)
Bonhams & Butterfields.
415.391.4000, 415.391.4040. 220 San
Bruno Avenue, San Francisco, CA
94103 www.butterfields.com. (CA)
Branson Collector Car Auction.
800.335.3063, 417.336.5616. 1316
W. Hwy. 76, Suite 199, Branson, MO
65616. www.bransonauction.com. (MO)
Hollywood Wheels Auctions &
Shows 800-237-8954, Hosting two
auctions a year in beautiful Palm Beach
FL, March & November. Offering
quality collector cars and personalized
service, all in a climate controlled, state
of the art facility. Come be a part of
the excitement! Check us out at www.
hollywoodcarauctions.com... Where
Collectors Collect! See You On The
Block!!
Palm Springs Auctions Inc.
Keith McCormick. 760.320.3290,
760.323.7031. 244 N. Indian Canyon
Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262 www.
classic-carauction.com. (CA)
The Worldwide Group.
866.273.6394, Established by John
Kruse and Rod C. Egan, The Worldwide
Group—Auctioneers, Appraisers
and Brokers—is one of the world's
premier auction houses, specializing in
the procurement and sale of the world's
finest automobiles and vintage watercraft.
www.wwgauctions.com. (IN)
RM Auctions, Inc.. 800.211.4371,
519.351.1337. Celebrating 30 years in
the collector car industry, RM Auctions
and its associated companies are responsible
for acquisitions, restorations
and sales of the world's rarest and most
valuable vintage automobiles, including
record-breaking sales in Maranello,
Italy and London, UK. RM's restoration
division achieved unprecedented
accolades in 2006, when the Company
earned “Best of Show” honors at the
world's top three collector car events
in a single year. www.rmauctions.com.
(CAN)
Leake Auctions. 800.722.9942, Es-
tablished in 1964, Leake Auction Company
was one of the first collector car
auctions in the country. Unsurpassed
customer service has led the company
to 40 successful years, selling more
than 32,000 vehicles. Leake currently
operates auctions in Tulsa, Oklahoma
City, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.
Visit them online at www.leakecar.com
or call 800.722.9942.
San Antonio – April 8-9, 2011 at Freeman
Coliseum.
Tulsa – June 10-12, 2011 at QuikTrip
Center.
Houston – September, 2011.
Russo and Steele Collector Au-
tomobile Auctions. 602.252.2697,
602.252.6260. Specializing in the finest
European sports, American muscle, hot
rods and custom automobiles; Russo
and Steele hosts two record breaking
ALL RESERVE auctions per year;
Monterey, CA every August and Scottsdale,
AZ every January. As one of the
premier auction events in the United
States, Russo and Steele has developed
a reputation for its superior customer
service and for having the most experienced
and informed experts in the industry.
www.russoandsteele.com. (AZ)
Santiago Collector Car Auctions.
Carlisle Collector Car Auctions.
717.243.7855, 1000 Bryn Mawr Road,
Carlisle, PA 17013. Spring and Fall
Auctions. High-line cars cross the
block. Hundreds of muscle cars, antique,
collector, and special-interest
cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Real
Cars. Real Prices. www.carlisleauctions.com.
(PA)
eBay Motors. List your car for sale
for only $40 and pay $40 more when
it sells. Visit the “Services” section on
www.ebaymotors.com for more details.
Mecum Collector Car Auction-
eers. 815.568.8888, 815.568.6615. The
Mecum Auction Company has been
specializing in the sale of collector cars
for over 23 years, offering an industryleading
5,000 collector cars per year.
Watch Mecum Auctions live on Discovery's
HD Theater. Consignment, bidder
and event information is available
online. 950 Greenlee ST, Marengo, IL
60015 www.mecumauction.com. (IL)
MotoeXotica Classic Cars & AucGooding
& Company.
310.899.1960, 310.899.0930. Gooding
& Company offers its international
clientele the rarest, award-winning examples
of collector vehicles at the most
prestigious auction venues. Our team of
well-qualified experts will advise you
on current market values. Gooding &
Company presents the official auction
of the famed Pebble Beach Concours
158
tions. 866.543.9393, After 24 years of
selling classic cars, MotoeXotica has
branched out with classic & exotic car
auctions. MotoeXotica currently has
auctions in St. Louis, Missouri, Springfield,
Missouri, and Phoenix, Arizona.
Combining some of the industry's lowest
entry fees and commissions MotoeXotica
is poised to keep expanding
while maintaining superior customer
service. Contact MotoeXotica today at
866-543-9393 or online at www.motoexotica.com.
Worth the trip!
405.475.5079, 501 E. Britton Rd.,
Oklahoma City, OK 73114. Rocky:
rockydb5@sbcglobal.net. (OK)
Tom Mack Classics. 888.TOM.
MACK, PO Box 1766, Indian Trail, NC
28079. Three annual auctions in Charlotte,
NC: April, September, and January.
Selling Southern muscle, collector,
and antique cars with experience and
integrity for 24 years. North Carolina
auction license 4017. www.tommackclassics.com.
(NC)
Alfa Romeo
Centerline Products. 888.750.ALFA,
Exclusively Alfa Romeo for over 30
years - rely on our experience to build
and maintain your dream Alfa. Restoration,
maintenance, and performance
parts in stock for Giulietta through 164.
Newly developed products introduced
regularly. Check our web site for online
store, new arrivals, tech tips, and
special offers. www.centerlinealfa.
com. (CO)
Jon Norman's Alfa Parts.
800.890.2532, 510.525.9519. 1221
Fourth Street, Berkley, CA 94710.
Large selection of parts from Giulietta
to 164. Efficient, personal service.
www.alfapartscatalog.com. (CA)
Appraisals
for two sales in Nevada. We will also
be working with Automania for sales in
South Dakota. For personalized service
contact us. www.saaasinc.com. (CO)
Auto Appraisal Group.
Silver Auctions. 800.255.4485,
Silver Auctions isn't successful because
we auction the most expensive cars,
we're successful because we auction
the cars that you love. Silver Auction's
staff, bidders and consignor are everyday
people with a passion for Nostalgic
and Collector cars. Come see the difference
at Silver Auctions. 2020 N.
Monroe, Spokane, WA 99205. silver@
silverauctions.com. www.silverauctions.com.
(WA)
800.848.2886, Offices located nationwide.
Pre-purchase inspection service,
insurance matters, charitable donations,
resale vales, estates, expert witness
testimony. On-site inspection. Certified,
confidential, prompt, professional.
“Not just one man's opinion of value.”
See web site for locations and service
descriptions. www.autoappraisal.com.
Gooding & Company.
Specialty Auto Auctions and Sales.
800.901.0022, Established by Bruce
and Helen Douglas in 1987. Based
in Colorado and doing auctions in
Colorado, Nevada and South Dakota.
This year we will join forces with Hot
August Nights and B & T Custom Rods
310.899.1960, Gooding & Company's
experts are well-qualified to individual
automobiles as well as collections and
estates. Whether it is the creation of a
foundation, living trust or arrangement
of a charitable donation, we are able to
assist you. www.goodingco.com. (CA)
Sports Car Market

Page 157

International Auto Appraisers Re-
source. Use IAAA Appraisers' to perform
insurance and legal appraisals and
pre-purchase inspections; It is IAAA
the largest association that certifies auto
appraisers, who follow ethics, participate
in ongoing training for IAAA/
Uniform Standards for Automotive Appraisal
Procedures™. Certifications include
Master Automotive Appraiser™
and Automotive Arbitration/Mediation
Umpire™. The apprentice program
was used by Mitchell International
and other qualified applicants from the
automotive industry. Locate IAAA
members and get association info.
www.autoappraisersassociation.com.
Brighton Motorsports.
480.483.4682, Brighton Motorsports,
Scottsdale, Arizona, is a unique dealership
specializing in Vintage European
and American Collector Cars with their
Sales/Showroom and Mechanical Repair
facility in the heart of Scottsdale's
legendary auction arena. They also
have a state-of-the-art paint & body
shop specially equipped to do all levels
of repair and restoration just down the
road, creating a one stop shop for the
avid car enthusiast. www.brightonmotorsports.com.
(AZ)
Woodies USA. 949.412.8812, We
buy and sell great woodies - hundreds
to date. If you are buying or selling give
us a call. We can help. Woodies are
fun! Every car collection should have
at least one. Located in Laguna Niguel,
California (new location). www.woodiesusa.com.
(CA)
Classic Car Transport
Motor Auto Express, Inc.
360.661.1734, Enclosed Transport.
MAX cares for what you care for. We
offer Personal, Private, Professional
services with liftgate loading for your
vehicles. Please contact Randy McKinley,
Owner. maxiet@gmail.com. (WA)
West Coast Auto Appraisals.
310.827.8400, Pre purchase, diminished
value, total loss settlements,
expert witness. Let us be your eyes and
ears, friendly and very knowledgeable
car experts, muscle cars, street rods,
Europeans, full classics, modern day
and more. Servicing all of California,
nationwide for larger car collections.
Member of IAAA and AMA. Check out
our website for a full list of services.
www.thecarappraiser.com. (CA)
Automobilia
Steve Austin's Automobilia &
Great Vacations. 800.452.8434, European
Car Collector tours including
Monaco & Goodwood Historics, private
collections, and car manufacturers.
Automobile Art importer of legendary
artists Alfredo de la Maria and Nicholas
Watts. www.steveaustinsgreatvacations.com.
indiGO Classic Cars.
Vintage Auto Posters, Since 1980,
Everett Anton Singer has been supplying
international collectors with
the most diverse selection of authentic
vintage automotive posters. The vast
inventory runs from the late 1890s
through the 1960s; featuring marque,
event and product advertising. Please
visit us at: www.VintageAutoPosters.
com.
Buy/Sell/General
888.588.7634, was founded in 2006 by
collectors to serve collectors. indiGO
Classic Cars has a passion and a focus
for vintage cars from the late 1930s
to the early 1970s. With access to
large lines of credit, indiGO purchases
individual cars as well as entire collections.
indiGO Classic Cars consults
with, consigns for and represents the
interest of sellers who need assistance
in the building, or disposition, of their
(or their family members') collections.
indiGO offers shipping worldwide.
indiGO Classic Cars is an indiGO Auto
Group dealership. www.indigoclassiccars.com.
(TX)
Classic Showcase. 760.758.6199,
760.758.0600. sales 760.758.6100.Fullservice
restorations. Creating show
winners in a world-classic restoration
facility. Specializing in European
classics. Superb fit; attention to detail;
great craftsmanship. “Where great cars
achieve perfection.” Located in San
Diego County. sales@classicshowcase.
com www.classicshowcase.com. (CA)
Heacock Classic. 800.678.5173, We
Passport Transport. 800.325.4267,
Since our founding in 1970, we have
shipped thousands of treasured vehicles
door-to-door with our fully enclosed
auto transporters. Whether your prized
possession is your daily driver, a vintage
race car, a classic, a 60s muscle
car, or a modern exotic you can depend
on Passport Transport to give you the
premium service it deserves. We share
your appreciation for fine automobiles
and it shows. www.PassportTransport.
com.
Collector Car Insurance
understand the passion and needs of
the classic car owner; agreed value, one
liability charge, 24-hour claim service
and paying by credit card. We provide
classic car insurance at rates people can
afford! Instant quotes at www.heacockclassic.com.
(FL)
Hagerty Insurance Agency, LLC.
800.922.4050, is the leading insurance
agency for collector vehicles in the
world and host to the largest network of
collector car owners. Hagerty offers insurance
for collector cars, motorcycles
and motorcycle safety equipment, tractors,
automotive tools and spare parts,
and even “automobilia” (any historic
or collectible item linked with motor
vehicles). Hagerty also offers overseas
shipping/touring insurance coverage,
commercial coverage and club liability
coverage. For more information, call or
visit www.hagerty.com. (MI)
J.C. Taylor Insurance.
Chubb Collector Car Insurance. 1
(866) CAR-9648, The Chubb Collector
Car Insurance program provides flexibility
by allowing you to choose the
agreed value and restoration shop.
Broad coverage includes no mileage
restrictions and special pricing for large
schedules. For more information contact
us at 1(866)CAR-9648 or www.
chubbcollectorcar.com.
800.345.8290, Antique, classic, muscle
or modified - J.C. Taylor Insurance
has provided dependable, dynamic,
affordable protection for your collector
vehicle for over 50 years. Agreed
Value Coverage in the continental U.S.,
and Alaska. Drive Through Time With
Peace of Mind with J.C. Taylor Insurance.
Get a FREE instant quote online
at www.JCTaylor.com.
Motor Sport Personal Accident
Coverage. 441.297.9439, 441.296.2543.
Email, mcooke@evolution.bm. Limits
up to $1,000,000 including accident
medical and helicopter evacuation.
Comp Capital Ltd. can obtain coverage
at competive rates including drivers
over the age of 65. Either 12 month
policy covering a whole season and or
for specific events. Please contact Mark
Cooke and or Kevin Way.
Grundy Worldwide. 800.338.4005,
2shores International. 920-945-
0450, International marketing services
for collector cars. New Showroom in
the US! Take advantage of our experience
in the global collector market.
Based in Wisconsin, working worldwide.
Connecting buyers and sellers
of collectible automobiles in a global
marketplace since 1990. We put our
market knowledge to work for you. Call
Jurgen today! www.2-shores-classics.
com. (WI)
Paul Russell and Company.
978.768.6092, www.paulrussell.com.
Specializing in the Preservation and
Sales of European Classics, pre-war
through the 1970s, since 1978. You
can rely on our decades of experience
with Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Porsche,
Bugatti, Alfa Romeo and other fine
collectibles. Repeat customers are the
lifeblood of our business. Contact us
today to join them. Car Sales Manager,
Alex Finigan: Alex@paulrussell.com.
(MA)
With 60 years of experience in servicing
and preserving the collector vehicle
hobby, Grundy provides “The Gold
Standard” of insurance, offering the
most options to you: Agreed Value,
No Model Year Limitation, Unlimited
Mileage, and coverage options for
Spare Parts, Trip Interruption, Towing
and Labor Costs, Inflation Guard, and
Auto Show Medical Reimbursement.
Fast, immediate quotes. www.grundy.
com. (PA)
English
AC Owner's Club Limited.
503.643.3225, 503.646.4009. US Registrar:
Jim Feldman, 11955 SW Faircrest
St., Portland, OR 97225-4615. The
world's largest organization of AC owners
and enthusiasts. AC ownership not
required. Monthly magazine. (OR)
Aston Martin of New England.
781.547.5959, 85 Linden Street,
Waltham, MA 02452. Proudly appointed
Aston Martin Heritage Dealer
for the USA. New and pre-owned Aston
August 2011
159

Page 158

Martins are our specialty. Please contact
us when buying, selling or restoring.
www.astonmartin-lotus.com. (MA)
AUTOSPORT DESIGNS, INC..
631.425.1555, All Aston Martin models
welcome regardless of age, as new
inevitably become old! Routine servcing-complete
mechanical restorations/
rebuilds - Cosmetic repair/paintwork to
complete frame off restoration - Large
inventory of parts. All services as well
as our current unventory of automobiles
for sale can be seen at www.autosportdesigns.com.
(NY)
Lamborghini models but also has comprehensive
experience and diagnostic
equipment to service Ferrari, Maserati,
Aston Martin, Bentley and other
exotic brands. Lamborghini Houston
is Houston's only factory authorized
Lamborghini dealership. Nationwide
Shipping. Lamborghini Houston is an
indiGO Auto Group dealership. www.
lamborghinihouston.com. (TX)
Randy Simon. 310.274.7440, ^
310.274.9809. I constantly collect and
sell all Ferraris, Maseratis, and Lamborghinis.
If I don't have what you seek,
I can usually find it for you (at low
prices). Please call anytime for straight
advice on the market. Finder's fee gladly
paid. simonrandy@aol.com (CA)
service. Located in Orange County,
California between Los Angeles and
San Diego. Sales@europeancollectibles.com
or visit our website www.
europeancollectibles.com. (CA)
Fast 72-hour turnaround! Hartford, CT.
www.automobileinspections.com. (CT)
Italian
Hamann Classic Cars.
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center.
1-866-MB-CLASSIC, The center of
competence for classic Mercedes-Benz
enthusiasts – for vintage car sales, meticulous
restorations by manufacturertrained
technicians and the widest selection
of Genuine Mercedes-Benz
Classic Parts, we are the source. www.
mbclassiccenter.com. (CA)
203.918.8300, with more than 30 years
in the industry and world wide clientele
in dealing in European race and sports
cars, specializes in classic Ferrari of the
'50s & '60s. www.ferrari4you.com
Literature
Via Corsa Car Lover's GuidePorsche
of North Houston.
Kevin Kay Restorations.
530.241.8337, 1530 Charles Drive, Redding,
CA 96003. Aston Martin parts,
service, repair, and restoration. From an
oil change to a concours-winning restoration,
we do it all. Modern upgrades
for power steering, window motors,
fuel systems, and more. Feltham Fast
performance parts in stock. We also
cater to all British and European cars
and motorcycles. www.kevinkayrestorations.net.
(CA)
Ferrari/Maserati/Lamborghini
RPM Classic Sports Cars.
802.877.2645, With over 25 years of
experience in Classic Italian Sports
cars, we know how to make your car
perform as new. Please visit our website
showing numerous cars for sale and a
frequently updated BLOG to see what
is going on in our busy shop including
video links of engines being run on a
test stand and on a chassis dynamometer.
Our two car enclosed transporter
makes getting your car to our shop
within the northeast a breeze. www.
rpmvt.com.
German
Carobu Engineering. 949.722.9307,
Ferrari specialist. Engine rebuilding/
development, dyno-testing, parts and
service. Your source for high performance
brakes, suspension, gaskets,
engine parts, wheels and exhaust.
Dealer for Tubi, Brembo, Koni, Razzo
Rosso, Sangalli, Zanzi, Novitech Rosso
and X-Ost. WWW.CAROBU.COM.
888.588.7634, creates experiential
Porsche ownership for its clients
and visitors. Sales and service team
members are inspired to prioritize
everything Porsche. Porsche of North
Houston maintains a huge selection of
new and pre-owned Porsches as well
as other previously owned designdriven,
performance and luxury motorcars
with low miles. Nationwide
Shipping. Porsche of North Houston
is an indiGO Auto Group dealership.
www.porscheofnorthhouston.com. (TX)
Import/Export
books. Travel the world with guidebooks
written for car enthusiasts! We
cover car museums, factory tours, race
tracks, auctions, and major events. Exclusive
interviews with Alice Cooper,
Hans-Joachim Stuck, Derek Bell, Mario
Andretti, and more! Our guidebooks
are available at motorbooks.com and
amazon.com.
Museums
LeMay— America's Car Museum,
Cosdel International TransportaClassic
Showcase. 760.758.6199,
FerrariChat.com. The largest on-
line Ferrari community in the world
with over 80,000 registered users. 3,000
new posts a day from Ferrari owners,
historians, and enthusiasts along with 5
Million in our archives. Over 1,000 ads
in our Classifieds www.ferrarichat.com.
760.758.0600. sales 760.758.6100. Fullservice
restorations. Creating show
winners in a world-classic restoration
facility. Specializing in European
classics. Superb fit; attention to detail;
great craftsmanship. “Where great cars
achieve perfection.” Located in San
Diego County. sales@classicshowcase.
com www.classicshowcase.com. (CA)
tion. 415.777.2000, 415.543.5112. Since
1960 Cosdel International Transportation
has been handling international
shipments by air, ocean and truck.
Honest service, competitive pricing
and product expertise have made Cosdel
the natural shipping choice for the
world's best-known collectors, dealers,
and auction houses. If you are moving
a car, racing or rallying, or attending
a concours event overseas, we are the
comprehensive, worldwide resource for
all of your international shipping needs.
We are your automobile Export Import
Experts. www.cosdel.com. (CA)
European Collectibles, Inc. 949Lamborghini
Houston.
888.588.7634, provides customers with
the most unique mix of exotic inventory
in the United States. The importance
of guest experience starts with
Lamborghini Houston's web presence
and is executed by a professional sales
team of hand-picked and extremely
knowledgeable automobile aficionados.
Lamborghini Houston not only services
650-4718, European Collectibles has
been buying, consigning, selling and
restoring classic European Sports
Cars since 1986. We specialize in
Porsche (356 and 911) 1950s to early
1970s along with other marks including
Mercedes, Aston Martin, Ferrari,
MG, Austin Healey & Jaguar with 40
vehicle in stock to chose from. European
Collectibles also offers complete
mechanical and cosmetic restorations
to Concours level along with routine
Inspections
set for a fall 2011 opening in Tacoma,
WA., explores how the automobile has
fulfilled a distinctive role at the core of
the American experience and shaped
our society. The spacious Museum with
rotating exhibits is designed to be the
centerpiece for automotive history as
well as an educational center and library.
The campus also contains a 3.5acre
show field, theatre, café, banquet
hall and meeting facilities. To become
an ACM member, volunteer or make
a donation, visit www.lemaymuseum.
org. (WA)
Parts and Accessories
Automobile Inspections LLC.
860.456.4048, “When you need the
job done right.” The nation's premier
provider of pre-purchase inspections on
classic, exotic and specialty cars of any
year, anywhere in the USA or Canada.
AutoBahn Power. 877.683.3001,
Performance + Looks + Durability +
Comfort = Autobahn Power! We are a
veteran of vehicle modifications, parts
and accessories. Our specialty has been
to carry products that are better than
original equipment in performance,
safety and quality. Our warehouse,
service shop and retail store are located
in the Midwest for good access to all
parts of the USA. We have completed
literally hundreds of project cars. These
performance vehicles are in enthusiast's
hands across the USA. Many of the cars
are in daily use proving the durability
of our workmanship and products.
Check us out at www.autobahnpower.
com.
160
Sports Car Market

Carl Bomstead
eWatch
Vintage Clocks, Neon Signs Light up Ohio Auction
Many of the pieces had been restored, and the glass faces on several of the
clocks and other items had been resurfaced
Thought
Carl's Rich Penn Auctions was selected to sell the lifetime collection of vintage advertising that had been accumulated by Wayne and
Shirley Woodrum. And what an auction it was. Over 1,500 items were offered over a three-day period at the Dayton Airport Expo
Center in Dayton, OH. In addition to the live bidding, internet bids were placed through Proxibid and Live Auctioneers.
The collection included advertising clocks, displays, signs and every other conceivable type of vintage advertising. The first day's activity
included over 500 lots of rare and desirable transportation-related advertising. Many of the pieces had been restored, and the glass faces on
several of the clocks and other display pieces had been resurfaced. The prices listed do not include the buyer's fees, as they varied between 15%
and 20%, depending on whether the bids were placed online or from the live audience. Here are a few pieces that caught my eye:
ing. It was slightly over two feet
in length and about 5.5 inches
in height. The metal case was in
excellent condition, and it was a
very attractive display piece—especially
if you are into Buicks.
AND NEON SIGN. SOLD AT:
$7,200. Date: 5/5/2011. Not that
many years ago, these appeared
on every Chevy used car lot in
the country. Now they are rather
scarce—and are
a very desir-
able collectible. The face of the
porcelain sign had been restored,
which held back the bidding a bit,
as these usually sell for $10,000
to $12,000.
RICH PENN AUCTIONS
LOT 470. STEWART
WARNER PRODUCTS
LIGHT-UP CLOCK. SOLD
AT: $600. Date: 5/5/2011. Stewart
Warner was founded in 1905
and continues to manufacture
automotive gauges to this day.
Their speedometers were used
in the Model T, and their gauges
from the 1950s are popular with
hot rodders. This light-up clock
was stated to be in good working
order, and it appeared that
the
glass surface had been restored.
The metal body of the clock was
slightly worn, but the piece was
still very presentable and cool garage
art for a vintage hot rodder.
PLUGS LIGHT-UP DISPLAY
CABINET. SOLD AT: $1,400.
Date: 5/5/2011. Over the years,
there have been thousands of
brands of spark plugs offered,
and before the days of mass
advertising, they were promoted
with attractive point-of-sale displays.
This metal case with glass
face had a flashing light behind
the spark plug in the graphics
to attract the buyer's attention.
The case was about 12.5 by 10.5
inches and was in excellent condition.
This was expensive, but
we have not seen another one.
RICH PENN AUCTIONS
LOT 105. WILLYS CARS
AND TRUCKS NEON
CLOCK. SOLD AT: $3,300.
Date: 5/5/2011. This clock dated
to the late 1950s and had a neon
ring around the circumference.
It had a Jeepster, Jeep, Station
Wagon and a Stake bed Truck at
the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock marks. It
was stated to be in good working
order, and it was a very desirable
piece. This was a bit pricey, as
you can buy a beater Jeepster for
what someone paid for the clock.
RICH PENN AUCTIONS
LOT 271. RARE FEDERAL
CLOCK FOR THOMAS
GARAGE. SOLD AT: $5,000.
Date: 5/5/2011. This is an extremely
rare clock that was
in good working order. It was
unique it
that
the hands were
made of neon. The marquee could
easily be personalized. This was
expensive—but way cool!
RICH PENN AUCTIONS
LOT 398. BUICK PARTS
DEPARTMENT
LIGHT-UP SIGN. SOLD AT:
$2,100. Date:
5/5/2011.
RICH PENN AUCTIONS
N.O.S.
This
Buick Valve in Head doublesided,
light-up hanging sign
dated to the early 1950s and was
unused with the original packag-
RICH PENN AUCTIONS
LOT 377. CHEVROLET OK
USED CARS PORCELAIN
RICH PENN AUCTIONS
LOT 175. SHURHIT SPARK
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162
LOT 265. FISK TIRES
DOUBLE-SIDED FLANGE
SIGN. SOLD AT: $1,600. Date:
5/5/2011. This sign appeared to
be painted rather than porcelain,
although the description was a
bit sketchy. It featured the famed
Fisk Tire boy with the “Time
to Re-Tire” slogan. It had been
restored, and depending on the
quality of the restoration, it was
either well bought or well sold.
This is the dilemma when buying
online. ♦
POSTMASTER
Send address changes to:
Sports Car Market
PO Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208
CPC IPM Sales Agreement No. 1296205
Sports Car Market